definitions

celestial meridian

A great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the celestial poles and an observer's zenith. An observer's celestial meridian is not a fixed reference on the celestial sphere but rather changes with the observer's location on Earth. Stars transit an observer's celestial meridian (that is, cross directly overhead in the sky at that location) once every 24 hours. Also called local meridian meridian
In the equatorial coordinate system, a great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the celestial poles and the vernal equinox. It represents the zero point for the horizontal coordinate in this system, having a right ascension of 0 hours.

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Nearby words

celestial horizon, celestial latitude, celestial longitude, celestial marriage, celestial mechanics, celestial meridian, celestial navigation, celestial pole, celestial sphere, celestine i, celestine i, saint
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.