In particular, axial precession can refer to the gradual shift in the orientation of Earth's axis of rotation in a cycle of approximately 26,000 years. In the absence of precession, the astronomical body's orbit would show axial parallelism. In astronomy, axial precession is a gravity-induced, slow, and continuous change in the orientation of an astronomical body's rotational axis. Earth rotates (white arrows) once a day around its rotational axis (red) this axis itself rotates slowly (white circle), completing a rotation in approximately 26,000 years For non-axial astronomical precession, see Astronomical precession.

For precession of the axes outside of astronomy, see Precession.

This article is about the astronomical concept.