celestial equator
–noun Astronomy, Navigation. | the great circle of the celestial sphere, lying in the same plane as the earth's equator. |
Origin: 1870–75
celestial equator
n. A great circle on the celestial sphere in the same plane as the earth's equator. Also called equinoctial, equinoctial circle. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
celestial equator
A great circle separating the northern and southern hemispheres of the celestial sphere and lying in the same plane as the Earth's equator. The celestial equator is a projection of the Earth's equator outward onto the celestial sphere and is used as the reference point in determining a celestial body's declination.
|
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
