Poynting-Robertson effect
[ poin-ting-rob-ert-suh n ]
/ ˈpɔɪn tɪŋˈrɒb ərt sən /
noun Astronomy.
the slowing down and consequent spiraling inward of small particles orbiting the sun, due to their interaction with solar radiation.
Origin of Poynting-Robertson effect
1955–60; after English physicist John H.
Poynting (1852–1914) and U.S. physicist Howard P.
Robertson (1903–61)