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celestial coordinate systemclick to hear

Imaginary horizontal and vertical lines used to describe the position of an object on the celestial sphere.
celestial coordinate system North celestial pole declination ecliptic right ascension celestial meridian celestial sphere celestial equator terrestrial sphere vernal equinox South celestial pole Equator inclination

North celestial pole click to hear

Projection of the North terrestrial pole onto the celestial sphere.

declination click to hear

One of two coordinates used to locate a celestial body on the celestial sphere; similar to terrestrial latitude.

ecliptic click to hear

Projection of the Sun’s apparent annual path onto the celestial sphere.

right ascension click to hear

One of two coordinates used to locate a celestial body on the celestial sphere; similar to terrestrial longitude.

celestial meridian click to hear

Projection of a terrestrial meridian onto the celestial sphere.

celestial sphere click to hear

Imaginary sphere where celestial bodies are observed and positioned.

celestial equator click to hear

Projection of the terrestrial Equator onto the celestial sphere; serves as the point of origin for declinations.

terrestrial sphere click to hear

Shape of Earth whose coordinates are projected onto the celestial sphere.

vernal equinox click to hear

Point at which the ecliptic and the celestial equator intersect; serves as the point of origin for right ascensions.

South celestial pole click to hear

Projection of the South terrestrial pole onto the celestial sphere.

Equator click to hear

Imaginary circle surrounding Earth at its widest circumference, dividing it into two hemispheres: the Northern hemisphere and the Southern hemisphere.

inclination click to hear

Angle formed between an imaginary line connecting the terrestrial poles and an imaginary line perpendicular to the ecliptic.