Celestial Sphere

Front

What is the Plane of the Ecliptic?

Back

The Plane of the Ecliptic is the imaginary plane that extends out from the Earth's orbit around the Sun, representing the path that the Sun appears to take through the celestial sphere.

Front

What is the meridian in celestial navigation?

Back

The meridian is the line that runs north-south through the zenith, connecting the North and South celestial poles.

Front

What is Right Ascension?

Back

Right Ascension is the celestial equivalent of longitude, measuring the angle of an object eastward along the celestial equator from the vernal equinox.

Front

What direction do star trails move when viewed from the Northern Hemisphere?

Back

When viewed from the Northern Hemisphere, star trails move in a counter-clockwise direction.

Front

How is the altitude of Polaris related to latitude?

Back

The altitude of Polaris is equal to the observer's latitude in the Northern Hemisphere.

Front

Define Declination in celestial coordinates.

Back

Declination is the celestial equivalent of latitude, measuring the angle of an object north or south of the celestial equator.

Front

What is the significance of the Celestial Equator?

Back

The Celestial Equator is an imaginary line that divides the celestial sphere into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, corresponding to Earth's equator.

Front

Explain the concept of azimuth in astronomy.

Back

Azimuth is the angle measured clockwise from the north point to the point on the horizon directly below a celestial object.

Front

What is the zenith?

Back

The zenith is the point in the sky directly above an observer, at a 90-degree angle from the horizon.

Front

How does the Earth's rotation affect the appearance of the night sky?

Back

The Earth's rotation causes the stars to appear to move across the sky, creating the illusion of star trails.