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Diagram caption: Here we see how celestial coordinates map positions on the celestial sphere. The celestial sphere is an imaginary, hollow sphere that surrounds the Earth. Celestial objects appear to be attached to the inside of the celestial sphere, and the planets, Sun, and Moon appear to move slowly across it.

The celestial sphere has a spherical coordinate system similar to the latitude and longitude we see on the Earth. The celestial equator is the projection of the Earth's equator onto the celestial sphere while the north and south celestial poles are the projections of the Earth's north and south poles onto the celestial sphere.

Declination is similar to latitude on the Earth in that it marks the angle above and below the celestial equator. Declination is zero on the celestial equator, is positive to the north of the celestial equator and negative to the south of it. It is commonly measured in degrees and sometimes in radians.

Right Ascension is similar to longitude as it marks the angle around the celestial equator. As with longitude the zero point of right ascension (shown here as a dashed line) is a matter of choice. Traditionally the zero point of right ascension was the position of the Sun at the northern hemisphere vernal equinox (spring equinox) in March. It is positive and increases to the east, unlike longitude on Earth which is defined as east or west of the prime meridian. It is most commonly measured in hours, minutes and seconds or occasionally in degrees or radians.

The ecliptic marks the Sun's path across the celestial sphere when viewed from the Earth.

The Earth rotates within the celestial sphere. This leads to objects like stars or galaxies, which appear static on the celestial sphere, rising and setting when viewed from the Earth but remaining in the same position on the celestial sphere.

The Earth's axis precesses within the celestial sphere. This slowly moves the celestial equator and the celestial poles meaning that the traditional celestial coordinate system changes slowly over time meaning that stars and galaxies that do not move will have positions that change. Astronomers have used coordinate systems defined by the position of the celestial poles and equator at a fixed point in time. Now celestial positions are most commonly measured on a fixed coordinate system defined by the position of the celestial poles and equator on the 1st of January 2000.

Diagram credit: Maria Cristina Fortuna/IAU OAE.

Diagram license: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) icons

Categories: Naked Eye Astronomy , Observational Astronomy

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