Astronomy: General

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. A Dictionary of Astronomy Further reading

galactic coordinate system

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

galactic coordinate systemastronomical coordinate system in which the principal axis is the galactic equator (the intersection of the plane of the Milky Way with the celestial sphere ) and the reference points are the north galactic pole and the zero point on the galactic equator; the coordinates of a celestial body are its galactic longitude and galactic latitude. In the IAU galactic coordinate system, introduced in 1958 by the International Astronomical Union, the zero point on the galactic equator has the equatorial coordinates R.A. 17 ^h 39.3 ^m and Dec. -28°55′; this lies in the direction of the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"galactic coordinate system." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"galactic coordinate system." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-galact-cs.html

"galactic coordinate system." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-galact-cs.html

Learn more about citation styles

galactic coordinates

A Dictionary of Astronomy | 1997 | Copyright

galactic coordinates A system of coordinates that specifies the position of objects relative to the galactic equator. Positions are given in terms of galactic latitude and galactic longitude.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"galactic coordinates." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"galactic coordinates." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-galacticcoordinates.html

"galactic coordinates." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-galacticcoordinates.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	The equation and the parameter of the spur system.(Report) Magazine article from: Natural Science; 9/1/2010
	PHOTOELECTRIC PHOTOMETRY OF NGC 6210. Magazine article from: Georgia Journal of Science; 9/22/2000
	Gravity assist and scattering off AGB stars off molecular clouds.(asymptotic... Magazine article from: American Journal of Applied Sciences; 4/1/2009