The Celestial Sphere Coordinate System

<< Basics of Astrology and Astronomy

<< Herong's Notes on Astrology and Horoscope

This section describes the celestial sphere coordinate system.

The fixed coordinate system on the celestial sphere is defined as:

• The north celestial pole (NCP) is defined as the intersection point of the north pole of the Earth and the celestial sphere.
• The south celestial pole (SCP) is defined as the intersection point of the south pole of the Earth and the celestial sphere.
• The celestial equator (CE) is defined as the projection of the Earth's equator on the celestial sphere.
• The latitude on the celestial sphere is defined in the same as the Earth's latitude.
• The longitude on the celestial sphere is defined in the same as the Earth's longitude.

The following picture provides a good illustration of the fixed coordinate system on the celestial sphere, http://www.astro.columbia.edu:

Sections in This Chapter

What Is Astronomy

The Solar System

The Celestial Sphere

The Celestial Sphere Coordinate System

The Celestial Meridian and Zenith

The Ecliptic

The Precession - Rotation of Earth's Axis