spherical astronomy formulas
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Equatorial Coordinates The equatorial coordinate system is the most frequently used of the coordinate systems in conventional astronomy. The equatorial coordinate system uses the meridian through the first point of Aries, the point where the ecliptic crosses the celestial horizon.
Equatorial Celestial Coordinates
North Celestial Pole
♈ 1st Point of Aries
Arbitrary Star
Celestial Equator
♈ α Right Ascension
Declination
H Hour Angle
A rectangular coordinate system can also be employed in order to identify an object's position in space.
Rectangular Equatorial Coordinates
Right Ascension
Declination
Distance (from )
Physics
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Horizontal Coordinates For a celestial sphere centred on an observer, , the reference direction being the vertical as defined by gravity at the observer's location. The point immediately above the observer is the zenith, the point below, the nadir. Each is a pole of the celestial horizon. The hemisphere above the celestial horizon is visible.
Horizontal Celestial Coordinates
Zenith
North Cardinal Point
South Cardinal Point
Arbitrary Star
Observer's Meridian
Observer's Horizon
North Celestial Pole
A Azimuth
Co-altitude
Altitude
Geographic Latitude
Coordinate Transformations
Altitude
Azimuth
Declination
Hour Angle
Geographic Latitude
Circumpolar Stars
A circumpolar star is one which never sets for an observer. The qualification for a circumpolar star is that:
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Ecliptic Coordinates The Earth's axis of rotation is tilted compared to the plane of its orbit. The ecliptic is the great circle which is formed by the line the Sun traces out as it moves through the sky.
Ecliptic Celestial Coordinates
North Celestial Pole
♈ 1st Point of Aries
Arbitrary Star
North Ecliptic Pole
Ecliptic
♈ λ Longitude
β Latitude
ϵ Obliquity of the ecliptic
Rectangular ecliptic coordinates are often used in the calculation of ephemerides.
Rectangular Ecliptic Coordinates
Latitude
Longitude
Distance (from )
Ecliptic coordinates can be transformed from equatorial coordinates.
Coordinate Transformations
Latitude
Longitude
Right Ascension
Declination
Obliquity of the ecliptic
Physics
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Galactic Coordinates The galactic system of coordinates is based on the plane of the galaxy, which provides the galactic equator.
Ecliptic Celestial Coordinates
North Celestial Pole
North Galactic Pole
PA of Galactic Centre
Arbitrary Star
Galactic Equator
Longitude
Latitude
To convert between galactic and equatorial coordinates three quantities must be known: the right ascension and declination of the galactic north pole, and the position angle of the galactic centre.
Coordinate Transformations
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
Latitude
Longitude
Right Ascension
Declination
Supergalactic Coordinates
The supergalactic coordinate system relates to the supergalactic plane - the plane of the local universe. It therefore has similar principles to the galactic system of coordinates.
Coordinate Transformations
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
Latitude
Longitude
Right Ascension
Declination
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