Dictionary.com
definitions

right ascension

noun Astronomy.

the arc of the celestial equator measured eastward from the vernal equinox to the foot of the great circle passing through the celestial poles and a given point on the celestial sphere, expressed in degrees or hours.

RELATED CONTENT

Alright vs. All RightWhat’s the difference between alright and all right? Are all right and alright interchangeable? All right has a range of meanings including: “safe,” as in “Are you all right?” “reliable; good,” as in “That fellow is all right.” as an adverb, it means “satisfactorily,” as in “His work is coming along all right” “yes,” as in “All right, I’ll go with you.” The form alright is a one-word spelling …
READ MORE
Right On: Slang Words From The Copacetic 70sRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

Nearby words

  1. right about,
  2. right about face,
  3. right and left,
  4. right angle,
  5. right as rain,
  6. right atrioventricular valve,
  7. right away,
  8. right bank,
  9. right brachiocephalic vein,
  10. right circular cone

Origin of right ascension

First recorded in 1585–95
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for right ascension

right ascension

noun

astronomy the angular distance measured eastwards along the celestial equator from the vernal equinox to the point at which the celestial equator intersects a great circle passing through the celestial pole and the heavenly object in questionSymbol: α Compare declination (def. 1)
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
Science definitions for right ascension

right ascension

The position of a celestial object east of the vernal equinox along the celestial equator. Right ascension is measured in hours, minutes, and seconds from the vernal equinox (0 hours) to the point where a great circle drawn through the object and the north and south celestial poles intersects the celestial equator. Each hour corresponds to 15° of angular distance along the celestial equator for a total of 24 hours. See more at equatorial coordinate system.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.