celestial longitude

celestial longitude

(ecliptic longitude) See ecliptic coordinate system.

Collins Dictionary of Astronomy © Market House Books Ltd, 2006

celestial longitude

[sə′les·chəl ′län·jə‚tüd]

(astronomy)

Angular distance east of the vernal equinox, along the ecliptic; the arc of the ecliptic or the angle at the ecliptic pole between the circle of latitude of the vernal equinox and the circle of latitude of a point on the celestial sphere, measured eastward from the circle of latitude of the vernal equinox, through 360°. Also known as ecliptic longitude.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

celestial longitude

The celestial longitude of a body is the arc of the ecliptic contained between the first point of Aries and the secondary ecliptic through that body measured eastward from Aries. It is the angular distance along the ecliptic from the vernal equinox eastward. See celestial latitude.

An Illustrated Dictionary of Aviation Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved