<p>I think I figured that out. At point 1 the torque vector is directed to the observer and at point 2 - from observed perpendicular to the plane of the drawing according to the right hand rule. All this makes the axis rotate clockwise while the Earth rotates counterclockwise.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/CP5CQ.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/CP5CQ.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-06T15:44:00.437Z
2021-10-06T15:44:00.437Z
ALiCe P.
<p>I know that precession appears when the axis of rotation of the planet is not perpendicular to the plane of the satellite's orbit and tidal forces applied to the equatorial belt tend to rotate the planet's axis of rotation. However I can't really understand why is it that Earth spins to the east and it's axis to the west:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/RsgP2.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/RsgP2.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>For example, top's precession goes to the same direction to which it spins:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/pzdRG.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/pzdRG.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>Could somebody please provide an explanation?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-05T17:45:05.310Z
This would be explained if the direction of the torques were opposite, unlike in the diagram (Where did you get it?). The [Wikipedia article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axial_precession#Cause) explains how the torque on the Earth is generated, although it does not explicitly discuss the direction. My impression is that tidal forces are "trying" to make the spin axis perpendicular to the orbital plane, which would mean the opposite sign of torque to the top.
Keith McClary
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-05T19:39:28.323Z
Did you get the image from https://spark.iop.org/precession
James K
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-08T10:02:42.187Z
Analytically I don't know but for the spinning top the perturbation is weight. For the Earth we have a different scenario.
Alchimista
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-10T09:34:49.877Z
Could you describe it in more details?
ALiCe P.
<earth><precession>
Why does the earth's axis move in the opposite direction to its rotation?
ALiCe P.
# Why does the earth's axis move in the opposite direction to its rotation?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-09-05)

I know that precession appears when the axis of rotation of the planet is not perpendicular to the plane of the satellite's orbit and tidal forces applied to the equatorial belt tend to rotate the planet's axis of rotation. However I can't really understand why is it that Earth spins to the east and it's axis to the west:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/RsgP2.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/RsgP2.png)

For example, top's precession goes to the same direction to which it spins:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/pzdRG.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/pzdRG.png)

Could somebody please provide an explanation?

**Tags:** earth, precession

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This would be explained if the direction of the torques were opposite, unlike in the diagram (Where did you get it?). The [Wikipedia article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axial_precession#Cause) explains how the torque on the Earth is generated, although it does not explicitly discuss the direction. My impression is that tidal forces are "trying" to make the spin axis perpendicular to the orbital plane, which would mean the opposite sign of torque to the top.  
> **username_2**: Did you get the image from https://spark.iop.org/precession  
> **username_3**: Analytically I don't know but for the spinning top the perturbation is weight. For the Earth we have a different scenario.  
> **username_0**: Could you describe it in more details?  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2021-10-06. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

I think I figured that out. At point 1 the torque vector is directed to the observer and at point 2 - from observed perpendicular to the plane of the drawing according to the right hand rule. All this makes the axis rotate clockwise while the Earth rotates counterclockwise.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/CP5CQ.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/CP5CQ.jpg)


---

