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... > mathematical technique > frame of reference > coordinate system > astronomical coordinate > equatorial coordinate system > celestial equator
... > astronomical technique > astrometry > coordinate system > astronomical coordinate > equatorial coordinate system > celestial equator

Preferred term

celestial equator  

Definition

  • The celestial equator is the great circle of the imaginary celestial sphere on the same plane as the equator of Earth. This plane of reference bases the equatorial coordinate system. In other words, the celestial equator is an abstract projection of the terrestrial equator into outer space. Due to Earth's axial tilt, the celestial equator is currently inclined by about 23.44° with respect to the ecliptic (the plane of Earth's orbit), but has varied from about 22.0° to 24.5° over the past 5 million years due to perturbation from other planets. (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestial_equator)

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URI

http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/MDL-B3RXXXDB-9

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RDF/XML TURTLE JSON-LD Created 10/10/22, last modified 10/10/22