galactic equator

American  

noun

Astronomy.

1. the great circle on the celestial sphere that is equidistant from the galactic poles, being inclined approximately 62° to the celestial equator and lying about one degree north of the center line of the Milky Way.

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galactic equator British  

noun

1. the great circle on the celestial sphere containing the galactic plane

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Etymology

Origin of galactic equator

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

The Milky Way itself, Mr. Stratonoff considers to be an agglomeration of immense condensations, or stellar clouds, which are scattered round the region of the galactic equator.

From Project Gutenberg

The galactic equator has nothing to do with anything on earth.

From Washington Post

All roads seem to point towards the earth's position within the galaxy as it prepares to cross the plane of the galactic equator.

From Washington Post

We find now from column 4 that of the 20 stars here considered there are no less than 15 in the galactic equator squares and only 5 outside, instead of 10 in the galactic squares and 10 outside, as would have been expected.

From Project Gutenberg

On the contrary we find only 6 in the galactic equator squares and 12 in the other squares.

From Project Gutenberg