celestial equator

celestial equator

n.

A great circle on the celestial sphere in the same plane as the earth's equator. Also called equinoctial, equinoctial circle.

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celestial equator

n

(Astronomy) the great circle lying on the celestial sphere the plane of which is perpendicular to the line joining the north and south celestial poles Also called equinoctial equinoctial circle

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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.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

celestial equator - the great circle on the celestial sphere midway between the celestial poles equinoctial, equinoctial circle, equinoctial line great circle - a circular line on the surface of a sphere formed by intersecting it with a plane passing through the center