Astronomical Aberration

Astronomical aberration is the apparent change in the position of stars caused by the Earth's motion through space. As Earth moves along its orbit, light from distant stars arrives at different angles, making them seem to shift slightly from their true positions. This effect, first described by astronomer James Bradley in the 18th century, helps scientists understand both the speed of light and the dynamics of planetary motion. Essentially, it is a result of the combination of the speed of light and the movement of our planet through the universe.