anomoly—¹ In geodesy, a deviation of an observed value from a theoretical value, due to an error in the observed quantity. ² In astronomy, the angle between the radius vector to an orbiting body from its primary and the line of apsides of the orbit, measured in the direction of travel, from the point of closest approach to the primary. Called the “true anomaly,” as opposed to “eccentric anomaly,” which is corresponding angle at the center of the orbit; or the “mean anomaly,” which is what the true anomaly would become if the planet had a uniformly angular motion.

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Source: NSPS “Definitions of Surveying and Related Terms“, used with permission.

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