celestial sphere
the imaginary spherical shell formed by the sky, usually represented as an infinite sphere, the center of which is a given observer's position.
Origin of celestial sphere
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use celestial sphere in a sentence
The fifth creation is the celestial sphere, where for the first time we have motion in its revolutions.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy | Isaac HusikWhen a star reaches the meridian in its course across the celestial sphere it is said to culminate or reach its culmination.
Astronomical Lore in Chaucer | Florence M. GrimmA star rising due east would traverse this great circle of the celestial sphere and set due west.
Astronomical Lore in Chaucer | Florence M. GrimmIn Fig. 5, the outer arc again represents the path of the zodiac on the celestial sphere.
Astronomical Lore in Chaucer | Florence M. GrimmIn Fig. 4, the outer circle represents the path of the zodiac on the celestial sphere.
Astronomical Lore in Chaucer | Florence M. Grimm
British Dictionary definitions for celestial sphere
an imaginary sphere of infinitely large radius enclosing the universe so that all celestial bodies appear to be projected onto its surface
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for celestial sphere
An imaginary sphere with Earth at its center. The stars, planets, Sun, Moon, and other celestial bodies appear to be located on this sphere, and the sphere appears to rotate around the Earth's extended axis once every 24 hours, carrying the celestial bodies with it overhead and giving them their diurnal motions. The celestial sphere is essentially a spherical map of the sky that provides the basis for the coordinate systems used in celestial navigation and in specifying the positions and motions of celestial objects. See more at altazimuth coordinate system ecliptic coordinate system equatorial coordinate system.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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