celestial pole

American  

noun

Astronomy.

1. each of the two points in which the extended axis of the earth cuts the celestial sphere and about which the stars seem to revolve.

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celestial pole British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: pole.  either of the two points at which the earth's axis, extended to infinity, would intersect the celestial sphere

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celestial pole Scientific  

1. Either of the two points at which a northward or southward projection of the Earth's axis intersects the celestial sphere. The north and south celestial poles are analogous to Earth's geographic poles and are used in determining right ascension in the equatorial coordinate system. Depending on which hemisphere an observer is in, the stars and other celestial objects appear to revolve once around the north or south celestial pole every 24 hours, an effect produced by the rotation of the Earth on its axis. Because of the precession of Earth's axis, the celestial poles gradually shift position in the sky over a nearly 26,000-year cycle.

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Etymology

Origin of celestial pole

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

For most observers in the Northern Hemisphere, the Great Bear is close enough to the north celestial pole that it never sets below the horizon, and it rotates around the North Star once a day.

From National Geographic • Aug. 23, 2023

Today the north celestial pole is near the star Polaris, but about 5000 years ago it was close to a star called Thuban, and in 14,000 years it will be closest to the star Vega.

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016

If you stood at the North Pole of Earth, for example, you would see the north celestial pole overhead, at your zenith.

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016

This long-exposure photo shows trails left by stars as a result of the apparent rotation of the celestial sphere around the south celestial pole.

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016

It is a popular idea with some people that the Pole Star is the nearest of all the stars to the celestial pole.

From Astronomical Curiosities Facts and Fallacies by Gore, J. Ellard