Encyclopedia

dynamical equinox

(informal vernal equinox)The point of intersection of the ecliptic with the celestial equator at which the Sun's declination changes from south to north. It is thus the ascending node of the Earth's mean orbit on the Earth's equatorial plane. This point moves slowly with time. See also catalog equinox; equinoxes.

Collins Dictionary of Astronomy © Market House Books Ltd, 2006

Mentioned in

catalog equinox
equatorial coordinate system
equinoxes
right ascension

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