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celestial longitude

noun Astronomy.

the angular distance of a point on the celestial sphere from the great circle that is perpendicular to the ecliptic at the point of the vernal equinox, measured through 360° eastward parallel to the ecliptic.

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Words nearby celestial longitude

celestial globe, celestial guidance, celestial hierarchy, celestial horizon, celestial latitude, celestial longitude, celestial marriage, celestial mechanics, celestial meridian, celestial navigation, celestial pole
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for celestial longitude

celestial longitude

noun

the angular distance measured eastwards from the vernal equinox to the intersection of the ecliptic with the great circle passing through a celestial body and the poles of the eclipticAlso called: ecliptic longitude
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for celestial longitude

celestial longitude

The position of a celestial object east of the vernal equinox along the ecliptic. Celestial longitude is measured in degrees eastward from the vernal equinox (0°) to the point where a great circle drawn through the object and the poles of the ecliptic intersects the ecliptic. Compare celestial latitude. See more at ecliptic coordinate system.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.