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celestial point

celestial points

Definitions of celestial point
  1. noun
    a point in the heavens (on the celestial sphere)
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    examples:
    north celestial pole
    the celestial pole above the northern hemisphere; near Polaris
    south celestial pole
    the celestial pole above the southern hemisphere
    types:
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    apex, apex of the sun's way, solar apex
    the point on the celestial sphere toward which the sun and solar system appear to be moving relative to the fixed stars
    antapex
    the point opposite in direction from the solar apex; the point the solar system is moving away from
    apoapsis, point of apoapsis
    (astronomy) the point in an orbit farthest from the body being orbited
    node
    (astronomy) a point where an orbit crosses a plane
    equinoctial point, equinox
    (astronomy) either of the two celestial points at which the celestial equator intersects the ecliptic
    culmination
    (astronomy) a heavenly body's highest celestial point above an observer's horizon
    nadir
    the point below the observer that is directly opposite the zenith on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
    periapsis, point of periapsis
    (astronomy) the point in an orbit closest to the body being orbited
    celestial pole, pole
    one of two points of intersection of the Earth's axis and the celestial sphere
    zenith
    the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
    exaltation
    the location of a planet in the zodiac at which it is believed to exert its maximum influence
    apogee
    apoapsis in Earth orbit; the point in its orbit where a satellite is at the greatest distance from the Earth
    aphelion
    apoapsis in solar orbit; the point in the orbit of a planet or comet that is at the greatest distance from the sun
    apojove
    apoapsis in orbit around Jupiter
    apolune, aposelene
    apoapsis in orbit around the moon
    ascending node
    the point at which an orbit crosses the ecliptic plane going north
    vernal equinox
    (astronomy) the equinoctial point that lies in the constellation of Pisces
    autumnal equinox
    (astronomy) the equinoctial point that lies in the constellation of Virgo
    descending node
    the point at which an orbit crosses the ecliptic plane going south
    perigee
    periapsis in Earth orbit; the point in its orbit where a satellite is nearest to the Earth
    perihelion
    periapsis in solar orbit; the point in the orbit of a planet or comet where it is nearest to the sun
    perijove
    periapsis in orbit around Jupiter
    perilune, periselene
    periapsis in orbit around the moon
    type of:
    point
    the precise location of something; a spatially limited location
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