celestial coordinate system![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Imaginary horizontal and vertical lines used to describe the position of an object on the celestial sphere.
North celestial pole ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Projection of the North terrestrial pole onto the celestial sphere.
declination ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
One of two coordinates used to locate a celestial body on the celestial sphere; similar to terrestrial latitude.
ecliptic ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Projection of the Sun’s apparent annual path onto the celestial sphere.
right ascension ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
One of two coordinates used to locate a celestial body on the celestial sphere; similar to terrestrial longitude.
celestial meridian ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Projection of a terrestrial meridian onto the celestial sphere.
celestial sphere ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Imaginary sphere where celestial bodies are observed and positioned.
celestial equator ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Projection of the terrestrial Equator onto the celestial sphere; serves as the point of origin for declinations.
terrestrial sphere ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Shape of Earth whose coordinates are projected onto the celestial sphere.
vernal equinox ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
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](/images/speaker.jpg)
Projection of the South terrestrial pole onto the celestial sphere.
Equator ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Imaginary circle surrounding Earth at its widest circumference, dividing it into two hemispheres: the Northern hemisphere and the Southern hemisphere.
inclination ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Angle formed between an imaginary line connecting the terrestrial poles and an imaginary line perpendicular to the ecliptic.