equatorial plane

noun

Astronomy.

1. the plane passing through the equator of the earth or another celestial body.

Word History and Origins

Origin of equatorial plane¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

In the equatorial plane of the black hole, the researchers' calculations revealed intense reconnection activity, leading to the formation of a chain of plasmoids - a condensation of plasma in energetic "bubbles" - moving at nearly the speed of light.

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Jovian polar regions are not visible from Earth owing to Jupiter’s low axial tilt, and were poorly characterized by previous missions because the trajectories of these missions did not venture far from Jupiter’s equatorial plane.

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Since November, the probe has been climbing higher relative to Saturn’s equatorial plane, providing a new vantage point on the planet’s outer rings.

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Most are slightly inclined relative to that midline, moving above their sun’s equatorial plane at one part of their orbit and below it at another.

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When a charged particle bounces from one magnetic pole to the other, it must cross the equatorial plane of Saturn.

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