celestial horizon

n. A great circle on the celestial sphere having a plane that passes through the center of the earth and is parallel to an observer's horizon. Also called rational horizon.

celestial horizon

n (Astronomy) See horizon^2b

ho•ri•zon

(həˈraɪ zən)

n. 1. the line or circle that forms the apparent boundary between earth and sky. 2. a. the small circle of the celestial sphere whose plane is tangent to the earth at the position of a given observer, or the plane of such a circle (sensible horizon). b. the great circle of the celestial sphere whose plane passes through the center of the earth and is parallel to the sensible horizon of a given position, or the plane of such a circle (celestial horizon). 3. the limit or range of perception, knowledge, or the like. 4. Usu., horizons. the scope of a person's interest, education, understanding, etc. 5. a thin, distinctive geological stratum useful for stratigraphic correlation. 6. any of the series of distinctive layers found in a vertical cross section of any well-developed soil. [1540–50; < Latin horizōn < Greek horízōn(kýklos) bounding (circle), present participle of horízein to bound, limit]

Thesaurus

Noun

celestial horizon - the great circle on the celestial sphere whose plane passes through the sensible horizon and the center of the Earthhorizongreat circle - a circular line on the surface of a sphere formed by intersecting it with a plane passing through the center

celestial horizon

celestial horizon,

one axis of the altazimuth coordinate systemaltazimuth coordinate system
or horizon coordinate system,
astronomical coordinate system in which the position of a body on the celestial sphere is described relative to an observer's celestial horizon and zenith.
..... Click the link for more information. . It is the great circle on the celestial sphere midway between the observer's zenith and nadir; it divides the celestial sphere into two equal hemispheres. The observer may be unable to see all the stars that lie above his celestial horizon because of obstructions such as buildings, trees, or mountains; he may be able to see some stars that lie below his celestial horizon because of atmospheric refraction.

celestial horizon

[sə′les·chəl hə′rīz·ən] (astronomy) That great circle of the celestial sphere which is formed by the intersection of the celestial sphere and a plane through the center of the earth and is perpendicular to the zenith-nadir line. Also known as rational horizon.

celestial horizon

The great circle of the celestial sphere, equidistant from the zenith and the nadir. It is the intersection of the sensible and rational horizons at infinity. Its plane passes through the center of the earth.

celestial horizon

celestial horizon

celestial horizon

ho•ri•zon

celestial horizon

celestial horizon,

celestial horizon

celestial horizon

celestial horizon

Synonyms for celestial horizon

noun the great circle on the celestial sphere whose plane passes through the sensible horizon and the center of the Earth

Synonyms

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