celestial sphere

celestial sphere

celestial sphere

n. An imaginary sphere of infinite extent with the earth at its center and on which the stars, planets, and other heavenly bodies appear to be located.

celestial sphere

n (Astronomy) an imaginary sphere of infinitely large radius enclosing the universe so that all celestial bodies appear to be projected onto its surface

celes′tial sphere′

n. the imaginary, infinite sphere formed by the sky, the center of which is a given observer's position. [1875–80]

celestial sphere

celestial sphere

An imaginary sphere with Earth at its center. The stars, planets, sun, moon, and other heavenly bodies appear to be located on this sphere.

celestial sphere

An imaginary sphere of infinite radius concentric with the Earth, on which all celestial bodies except the Earth are imagined to be projected.

Thesaurus

Noun

celestial sphere - the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projectedempyrean, firmament, heavens, vault of heaven, welkin, sphereapex of the sun's way, solar apex, apex - the point on the celestial sphere toward which the sun and solar system appear to be moving relative to the fixed starscelestial point - a point in the heavens (on the celestial sphere)nadir - the point below the observer that is directly opposite the zenith on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projectedsurface - the extended two-dimensional outer boundary of a three-dimensional object; "they skimmed over the surface of the water"; "a brush small enough to clean every dental surface"; "the sun has no distinct surface"zenith - the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projectedzodiac - a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes

Translations

sfera celeste

celestial sphere

celestial sphere,

imaginary sphere of infinite radius with the earth at its center. It is used for describing the positions and motions of stars and other objects. For these purposes, any astronomical object can be thought of as being located at the point where the line of sight from the earth through the object intersects the surface of the celestial sphere. In astronomical coordinate systemsastronomical coordinate systems.
A coordinate system is a method of indicating positions. Each coordinate is a quantity measured from some starting point along some line or curve, called a coordinate axis.
..... Click the link for more information. , the coordinate axes are great circles on the celestial sphere. In most systems of this type, the reference points are fixed on the sphere, so the two coordinates needed to locate a body are relatively constant.

An imaginary sphere of infinite radius, centered at the center of the earth, on which the apparent motion of celestial bodies takes place. Because all stars are so far from an earthbound observer that they can be located solely by their direction, it is convenient to presume they are located on the inside of a spherical surface centered on the observer. Because the radius of earth is negligible, it is convenient to consider earth, rather than the terrestrial observer, centered in the celestial sphere. Stars are designated by their location on this sphere, and planets and other heavenly bodies are located against this background.

celestial sphere

an imaginary sphere of infinitely large radius enclosing the universe so that all celestial bodies appear to be projected onto its surface

celestial sphere

Related to celestial sphere: Celestial coordinate system

noun

Synonyms for celestial sphere

noun the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

Synonyms

empyrean
firmament
heavens
vault of heaven
welkin
sphere

Related Words

apex of the sun's way
solar apex
apex
celestial point
nadir
surface
zenith
zodiac