Declination is the angular distance of a point on the celestial sphere north or south of the celestial equator, similar to latitude on Earth. It is measured in degrees, with positive values indicating positions north of the celestial equator and negative values indicating positions to the south. Declination is a key coordinate in celestial navigation and astronomy, helping to locate stars and other celestial objects in the sky.
Using declination and right ascension
The declination of Polaris (the north star) is: + 89° 19' 39'That's just 0.6725 degree from the north celestial pole.
Rigel, located in the constellation Orion, has coordinates approximately 5 hours and 14 minutes right ascension and -8 degrees 12 minutes declination. This positions it in the celestial sphere, but it's important to note that Rigel is not located directly on the celestial equator, as its declination is negative, placing it south of the equator.
The components of the celestial sphere include the celestial equator (dividing the sky into northern and southern hemispheres), the north and south celestial poles (points around which the sky appears to rotate), and celestial coordinates (such as right ascension and declination) used to locate objects in the sky. Additionally, the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun) intersects the celestial equator at two points known as the vernal and autumnal equinoxes.
The Earth orbits on its axis. It isn't a physical axis; there is no metal rod through the Earth, but we can calculate it pretty well. If you were to extend that imaginary axis straight out from the physical poles, this would point to the "celestial poles". Early astronomers thought of the sky as a solid crystal sphere, and all the stars were at the same very great distance away. We know now that isn't true; all the stars are at their own distances, all different. But we still sometimes speak of the "celestial sphere", and the celestial poles, and the celestial equator. This helps us to visualize where we are in the galaxy, and where all the stars are in relationship to each other.
Using declination and right ascension
The declination of Polaris (the north star) is: + 89° 19' 39'That's just 0.6725 degree from the north celestial pole.
The coordinates of Capricornus in the celestial sphere are: Right Ascension 20h 06m 46.4871s - 21h 59m 04.8693s and Declination −8.4043999°- −27.6914144°.
A celestial sphere is an imaginary sphere that surrounds the Earth, onto which all celestial bodies—such as stars, planets, and the Moon—are projected. It serves as a useful tool in astronomy for visualizing the positions and movements of these objects in the sky. The celestial sphere is centered on the Earth, with the observer's location determining the visible portion of the sphere. It simplifies the representation of the celestial coordinate system, including concepts like right ascension and declination.
If the fixed point is the intersection of the celestial equator and the hour circle that intersects the body's position on the celestial sphere, it is declination.
The celestial sphere has the Earth at the centre and all the objects in the sky situated on the sphere at infinite distance. Positions of the objects are described by two coordinates, which could be azimuth and elevation, or, in geocentric coordinates, declination and hour-angle.
Right ascension: 21 h Declination: −20°
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.
The coordinate equivalents on the celestial sphere are right ascension (RA) and declination (Dec). Right ascension is analogous to longitude, measured in hours, minutes, and seconds, indicating an object's position east or west of the vernal equinox. Declination is similar to latitude, measured in degrees north or south of the celestial equator, determining an object's angular distance from it. Together, these coordinates allow precise locating of celestial objects in the sky.
The components of the celestial sphere include the celestial equator (dividing the sky into northern and southern hemispheres), the north and south celestial poles (points around which the sky appears to rotate), and celestial coordinates (such as right ascension and declination) used to locate objects in the sky. Additionally, the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun) intersects the celestial equator at two points known as the vernal and autumnal equinoxes.
The point on the celestial sphere located at 0 hours right ascension and 0 degrees declination is known as the vernal equinox. It marks the point where the celestial equator intersects the ecliptic and is used as the reference point for defining celestial coordinates. It also marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Earth orbits on its axis. It isn't a physical axis; there is no metal rod through the Earth, but we can calculate it pretty well. If you were to extend that imaginary axis straight out from the physical poles, this would point to the "celestial poles". Early astronomers thought of the sky as a solid crystal sphere, and all the stars were at the same very great distance away. We know now that isn't true; all the stars are at their own distances, all different. But we still sometimes speak of the "celestial sphere", and the celestial poles, and the celestial equator. This helps us to visualize where we are in the galaxy, and where all the stars are in relationship to each other.