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Why were celestial longitude and celestial latitude renamed right ascension and declination?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
I don't think they have been renamed precisely; they probably were never called "longitude" and "latitude" in the first place!
In fact, these terms refer to two slightly different co-ordinate systems.
The first one is based on the "Ecliptic".
The second one is based on the "Celestial Equator".
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
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How are right ascension and declination used to locate a star?
They are the celestial equivalent of longitude and latitude. If you are given the RSA and Dec of an object, you will be able dot find it on a chart. Or if you have a telescope that is computerised, you can input the coordinates and the telescope should go there automatically.
What latitude is the sun directly overhead at noon on may 5th August 10th abd October 15th?
Anywhere where the declination of the Sun is equal to your latitude. You can look up the declination of the Sun in the Nautical Almanac. Declination is the angle of a celestial body north or south of the celestial equator; the celestial equator is the same as the terrestrial one, extended out into space. On June 21, the Sun's declination is about 23.5 degrees north; on the equinoxes, it is zero. On December 21, the Sun's declination is about 23.5 degrees south.
What is the declination of polaris from Glasgow?
The "declination" of a star is its position in the sky on the celestial sphere, which stays the same for any observer.You may be thinking about how high Polaris is above the horizon.That's its "altitude".The altitude of Polaris always equals the latitude of the observer.That's been a great help to seafarers for centuries.Polaris has a declination of nearly 90 degrees.From Glasgow, its altitude in the northern sky is equal to the latitude of Glasgow.The latitude of Glasgow is about 55.9 degrees.So, the altitude of Polaris in Glasgow is about 55.9 degrees.
Who invented the longitude and latitude grid?
alberuni invented the longitude and latitude of earth.
What is the latitude and longitude of Victoria BC?
Latitude: 48°25′43″N Longitude: 123°21′56″W
What is the longitude on a star map for Auriga?
Indicating the position of a celestial object is similar to latitude latitude and longitude. But it is called right ascension and declination.
What do astronomers call latitude and longitude?
When astronomers are working with geographic maps, they call latitude "latitude"and longitude "longitude".When they're working with celestial maps, they refer to the analogous celestial coordinatesas "Declination" and "Right Ascension".
What system is the celestial coordinate system most similar to?
The celestial coordinate system is exactly analogous to the terrestrial positioning system based on latitude and longitude. Terrestrial latitude ---> celestial 'declination'. Terrestrial longitude ---> celestial 'right ascension', where one 'hour' = 15 degrees.
How do you figure the latitude and longitude of the moon?
The system of latitude and longitude is used to describe the location of points on the surface of the earth. Celestial objects don't have latitude and longitude. There is a similar system defined in the sky. Those coordinates are called Right Ascension and Declination.
The closest terrestrial analog to hours of right ascension is angle of longitude?
yes. latitude is to declination, as longitude is to right ascension.
Why don't we use latitude and longitude for celestial coordinates?
We more or less do, we just call them declination and right ascension instead. The two concepts are mathematically equivalent.
What is the star latitude and star declination?
Celestial coordinates. -- The star's latitude on the celestial sphere is the same as the Earth latitude that it seems to follow on its way aroujnd the sky. On the celestial sphere, the latitude is called "declination", and is expressed in degrees. -- The star's longitude on the celestial sphere is its angle, measured westward, from the point in the sky called the Vernal Equinox ... the point where the sun appears to cross the celestial equator in March. On the celestial sphere, the star's longitude is called "Right Ascension", and it's expressed in hours. That certainly seems confusing, but an "hour of Right Ascension" just means 15 degrees of celestial longitude. So, as the sky turns, the point directly over your head moves through the stars by 1 hour of Right Ascension every hour.
How are right ascension an declination similar to latitude an longitude?
Right Ascension in space is equivalent to Longitude on Earth but it is measured in hours minutes and seconds rather than degrees, minutes and seconds. 1 hour of RA is equivalent to 15° of longitude. Declination in Space is equivalent to Latitude on Earth. Both are measure in degrees, minutes and seconds. Declination is measured from the Celestial Equator, + being north and - being south, just like Latitude.
Why do astronomers use Declination and Right Ascension?
These are coordinates that define the position of an object in the sky (on the "celestial sphere"). They are used in a similar way to how latitude and longitude are used, on the Earth's surface.
What location does NOT use latitude and longitude?
The sky. Astronomers use right ascension and declination as coordinates for locating stars, rather than latitude and longitude.
What is the latitude and longitude of the constellation Pisces?
The terms "latitude" and "longitude" only apply to terrestrial navigation here on the surface of the Earth. In Astronomy, the terms "right ascension" and "declination" are used instead. The RA of Pisces is 1 hour and the declination is +15 degrees.
What is the celestial equivalent of latitude?
The declination of a celestial object is the exact equivalent of latitude.
