first point of Aries

first point of Aries

Another name for the vernal equinox, which over 2000 years ago, when Hipparchus first used the term, lay in the constellation Aries. Due to the westerly precession of the equinoxes the vernal equinox now lies in Pisces and will subsequently move into Aquarius. Likewise the first point of Libra, or the autumnal equinox, once lay in Libra but is now located in Virgo.

Collins Dictionary of Astronomy © Market House Books Ltd, 2006

first point of Aries

[¦fərst ¦pȯint əv ′er·ēz]

(astronomy)

vernal equinox

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

first point of Aries

The point of intersection of the ecliptic and the celestial equator (equinoctial) at which the sun is moving from a south to north declination. Also known as the spring equinox or the vernal equinox. It is denoted by the symbol γ. See also ecliptic.

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