ascending node

American  

noun

Astronomy.

1. the node through which an orbiting body passes as it moves to the north (opposed to descending node).

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Example Sentences

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ascending node

The point E, where Venus crosses the plane of the earth's orbit, is called the ascending node.

From Recreations in Astronomy With Directions for Practical Experiments and Telescopic Work by Henry White Warren

Indeed the "Dragon's Head," ☊, is the general sign for the ascending node of any orbit, whether of moon, planet or comet, and the "Dragon's Tail," ☋, for the descending node.

From The Astronomy of the Bible An Elementary Commentary on the Astronomical References of Holy Scripture by E. Walter (Edward Walter) Maunder

The ascending node is the point where it passes from the south to the north side of the ecliptic; the descending node is the opposite point, where the latitude changes from north to south.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Sir Edward Belcher

When passing to the north of the ecliptic, it is called the ascending node; when to the south of it, the descending node.

From Conversations on Natural Philosophy, in which the Elements of that Science are Familiarly Explained by Thomas P. Jones

The Ráhu, the ascending node, is derived from the verb literally meaning to abandon, void, hence also black, darkness, shadow, etc., and is represented in mythology as having no body, the umbra of the astronomers.

From Phallic Miscellanies Facts and Phases of Ancient and Modern Sex Worship, as Illustrated Chiefly in the Religions of India by Hargrave Jennings