|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
celestial pole
celestial pole one of the two points at which the earth's axis of rotation intersects the celestial sphere . The celestial pole is important as a reference point in the equatorial coordinate system ; the celestial meridian passes through it, as do the hour circles of the stars. The polestar (see Polaris ) lies within 0.5° of the north celestial pole. Although there is no bright star near the south celestial pole, the Southern Cross (see Crux ) points directly to it. The altitude of the celestial pole in an observer's hemisphere is equal to the observer's latitude on the earth. |
|
|
Cite this article
"celestial pole." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "celestial pole." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-celest-po.html "celestial pole." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-celest-po.html |
|
celestial pole
celestial pole Either of the two points about which the celestial sphere appears to rotate each day. The celestial poles lie on the celestial sphere directly above the Earth's geographical poles, and are 90° from the celestial equator. Because of precession, the celestial poles describe a circle around the ecliptic poles every 25 800 years.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"celestial pole." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "celestial pole." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-celestialpole.html "celestial pole." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-celestialpole.html |
|
celestial axis
celestial axis The line joining the north and south celestial poles, about which the celestial sphere rotates.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"celestial axis." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "celestial axis." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-celestialaxis.html "celestial axis." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-celestialaxis.html |
|
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
