celestial latitude

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Word: Celestial Latitude

Part of Speech: Noun (used in astronomy)

Definition: Celestial latitude is a way to describe how far a star, planet, or other celestial body is located above or below an imaginary line called the celestial equator. This line divides the sky into the northern and southern halves, just like the Earth’s equator divides it into the northern and southern hemispheres. Celestial latitude is measured in degrees, with values ranging from 0° at the celestial equator to 90° at the celestial poles.

Usage Instructions

• Celestial latitude is used by astronomers to pinpoint the exact location of celestial bodies in the sky.
• It is always expressed in degrees (°).

Example

• If a star has a celestial latitude of +30°, it is located 30 degrees north of the celestial equator. Conversely, if its celestial latitude is -30°, it is 30 degrees south of the celestial equator.

Advanced Usage

• In combination with right ascension (another coordinate in astronomy), celestial latitude helps astronomers to locate celestial objects in the vastness of space. Right ascension measures how far east an object is from a point in the sky called the vernal equinox.

Word Variants

• There aren’t many direct variants of "celestial latitude," but you might encounter related terms like:
  • Celestial Sphere: The imaginary sphere onto which all celestial bodies are projected.
  • Celestial Coordinates: A system that includes both celestial latitude and right ascension.

Different Meanings

• Celestial latitude is specific to astronomy and does not have many meanings outside of this context. It is distinct from "latitude" on Earth, which refers to the geographical coordinate that specifies the north-south position on Earth's surface.

Synonyms

• There are no direct synonyms for "celestial latitude," but you might find it referred to in context with:
  • Celestial coordinates (when talking about location in the sky).

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically involving "celestial latitude."

Conclusion

In summary, celestial latitude is a crucial concept in astronomy that helps us understand the positioning of celestial objects in relation to the celestial equator.

Academic

Noun

1. (astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial body north or to the south of the celestial equator; expressed in degrees; used with right ascension to specify positions on the celestial sphere

Synonyms

• declination
• dec