celestial coordinates (redirected from Celestial coordinate system)

celestial coordinates

Set of numbers used to pinpoint the position in the sky (see celestial sphere) of a celestial object. Coordinate systems used include the horizon system (altitude and azimuth), galactic coordinates, the ecliptic system (measured relative to the orbital plane of Earth), and the equatorial system (right ascension and declination, directly analogous to terrestrial latitude and longitude).

---

celestial coordinates [sə′les·chəl kō′ȯrd·nəts]

(astronomy)

Any set of coordinates, such as zenithal distance, altitude, celestial latitude, celestial longitude, local hour angle, azimuth and declination, used to define a point on the celestial sphere.