An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

In models of → galactic structure, the → angular velocity of a → spiral arm or a → bar, assumed to be a pattern rotating as a solid body in the galaxy. Pattern speed, Ω_P , is one of the most important parameters of the → density wave theory responsible for the spiral arms. Pattern speed determines the location of the → corotation resonance.

See also: → pattern; → speed.