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Coordinate Vocab
Vocab for Astronomy coordinates
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Latitude | the distance north or south of the Earth’s equator, measured in degrees, arcminutes, and arcseconds |
Equator | an imaginary line that circles Earth halfway between the North and South poles |
Longitude | the distance east or west of the prime meridian measured in degrees, arcminutes, and arcseconds |
Prime Meridian | the imaginary line that goes from the North Pole to the South Pole through Greenwich, England |
Arcminutes | a smaller unit that splits degrees into 60 parts |
Arcseconds | a smaller unit that splits arcminutes into 60 parts |
Equatorial Coordinate System | an astronomical coordinate system that is fixed to the stars |
Celestial Equator | the extension of Earth’s equator onto the celestial sphere |
Declination | the angular distance north or south of the Celestial Equator measured in degrees, arcminutes, and arcseconds |
Right Ascension | a coordinate in the Equatorial system similar to longitude, measured in hours, minutes, and seconds |
Ecliptic | the path of the sun through the sky |