celestial longitude

celestial longitude

n.

The angular distance eastward from the vernal equinox along the ecliptic to the great circle drawn through the pole of the ecliptic and a celestial body.

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celestial longitude

n

(Astronomy) the angular distance measured eastwards from the vernal equinox to the intersection of the ecliptic with the great circle passing through a celestial body and the poles of the ecliptic Also called ecliptic longitude

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celestial longitude

The position of a celestial object east of the vernal equinox along the ecliptic. Celestial longitude is measured in degrees eastward from the vernal equinox (0°) to the point where a great circle drawn through the object and the poles of the ecliptic intersects the ecliptic. Compare celestial latitude. See more at ecliptic coordinate system.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

celestial longitude - (astronomy) the equatorial coordinate specifying the angle, measured eastward along the celestial equator, from the vernal equinox to the intersection of the hour circle that passes through an object in the sky; usually expressed in hours and minutes and seconds; used with declination to specify positions on the celestial sphere; "one hour of right ascension equals fifteen degrees" right ascension, RA astronomy, uranology - the branch of physics that studies celestial bodies and the universe as a whole angular distance - the angular separation between two objects as perceived by an observer; "he recorded angular distances between the stars"