celestial sphere

celestial sphere n. An imaginary sphere of infinite extent with the earth at its center on which the stars, planets, and other heavenly bodies appear to be located.

celestial sphere

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celestial sphere

n

(Astronomy) an imaginary sphere of infinitely large radius enclosing the universe so that all celestial bodies appear to be projected onto its surface

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celestial sphere An imaginary sphere with Earth at its center. The stars, planets, Sun, Moon, and other celestial bodies appear to be located on this sphere, and the sphere appears to rotate around the Earth's extended axis once every 24 hours, carrying the celestial bodies with it overhead and giving them their diurnal motions. The celestial sphere is essentially a spherical map of the sky that provides the basis for the coordinate systems used in celestial navigation and in specifying the positions and motions of celestial objects. See more at altazimuth coordinate systemecliptic coordinate systemequatorial coordinate system

celestial sphere

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An imaginary sphere of infinite radius concentric with the Earth, on which all celestial bodies except the Earth are imagined to be projected.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

celestial sphere - the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected empyrean, firmament, heavens, vault of heaven, welkin, sphere apex of the sun's way, solar apex, apex - the point on the celestial sphere toward which the sun and solar system appear to be moving relative to the fixed stars celestial point - a point in the heavens (on the celestial sphere) nadir - the point below the observer that is directly opposite the zenith on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected surface - the extended two-dimensional outer boundary of a three-dimensional object; "they skimmed over the surface of the water"; "a brush small enough to clean every dental surface"; "the sun has no distinct surface" zenith - the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected zodiac - a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes