The Celestial Sphere and Its Coordinate Systems

Definition of Terms

Celestial Sphere - a sphere of infinite radius with the center of the earth as its center
- almost all the celestial objects are at a distance many times the radius of
the earth (from which we make our observations), making the radius
almost negligible in most computations
Small Circle - the resulting intersection if the plane which does not pass through the
center of the sphere cuts the spherical surface
Vertical Line - the direction of gravity at a point on the earths surface and is shown by
the plumb line or indirectly by the means of the spirit level
Zenith - a point where the vertical is prolonged upwards, which pierces the
sphere; it is directly above the observer
Nadir - a point where the vertical is prolonged downwards, which pierces the
sphere; it is opposite the zenith
Celestial Horizon - the great circle on the celestial sphere that is cut by a plane through the
center of the earth perpendicular to the vertical
- the plane perpendicular to the vertical and containing the observer
Vertical Circles - great circles passing through the zenith and nadir, and is perpendicular
to the horizon
Almucantars - small circles parallel to the horizon; sometimes called the parallels of
altitude
Celestial Poles - the two points piercing the celestial circle, formed when the earths axis
of rotation is produced indefinitely
- the points of intersection of the sphere and the axis of rotation
Celestial Equator - the great circle of the celestial sphere which is cut by the plane through
the center of the earth perpendicular to the axis of rotation
- plane perpendicular to the rotation axis, and containing the center
Celestial Parallels - small circles parallel to the plane of the equator
Hour Circles - great circles passing through the north and south celestial poles
- great circles containing the poles, thus perpendicular to the celestial
equator
Celestial Meridian - great circle passing through the zenith and the poles, which is both an
hour circle and a vertical circle
- observers vertical plane containing the poles, which contains the hour
circle through the zenith and nadir
Prime Vertical - vertical circle whose plane is perpendicular to the plane of the meridian
6 Hour Circle - hour circle whose plane is perpendicular to the meridian
Equinoctial Colure - hour circle passing through the celestial poles and the equinoxes
North & South Pts. - points on the celestial sphere where the celestial meridian intersects the
celestial horizon
East & West Points - points of intersection of the prime vertical on the celestial horizon; they
are situated on the line of intersection of the celestial horizon and the
celestial equator
Plane of Ecliptic - the plane containing the center of the sun, the barycenter of the earth-
moon system, and the inertial heliocentric velocity vector of the earth-
moon vector of the earth-moon system is barycenter
- plane of orbit of the earth around the sun
- always about 2 of the suns apparent motion about the earth
Ecliptic Poles - points of intersection of the line perpendicular to the ecliptic and
containing the center of the earth, with the celestial sphere
Ecliptic Parallel - plane parallel to the ecliptic, which intersects the celestial sphere
Ecliptic Meridian - a plane intersecting the celestial sphere, which is perpendicular to the
ecliptic and contains the ecliptic poles
Equinoxes - points connected by a line formed by the intersection of the ecliptic with
the celestial equator
Vernal Equinox - point of intersection near which the apparent sun crosses the celestial
equator (from south to north) in the spring
- it occurs every 21st of March
Autumnal Equinox - point of intersection near which the apparent sun crosses the celestial
equator (from north to south) in the fall
- it occurs every 21st of September
Obliquity of Ecliptic- acute angle between the celestial equator and the ecliptic
Solstices - two opposite points on the ecliptic, 90 degrees from the equinoxes and
are near the points where the sun reaches its greatest angular distance
from the celestial equator, either north (summer solstice, occurring
every 21st of June) or south (winter solstice, occurring every 21 st of
December)
Solstitial Colure - hour circle passing through the poles and the solstices
- the ecliptic poles lie on the solstitial colure
Equinoctial Colure - hour circle passing through the poles and the equinoxes