coordinate system

n. A method of representing points in a space of given dimensions by coordinates.

Thesaurus

Noun

coordinate system - a system that uses coordinates to establish positionframe of reference, reference frame, reference systemorganization, arrangement, organisation, system - an organized structure for arranging or classifying; "he changed the arrangement of the topics"; "the facts were familiar but it was in the organization of them that he was original"; "he tried to understand their system of classification"Cartesian coordinate system - a coordinate system for which the coordinates of a point are its distances from a set perpendicular lines that intersect at the origin of the systemcoordinate axis - one of the fixed reference lines of a coordinate systeminertial frame, inertial reference frame - a coordinate system in which Newton's first law of motion is validspace-time, space-time continuum - the four-dimensional coordinate system (3 dimensions of space and 1 of time) in which physical events are located

coordinate system

() A system, resembling that of latitude and longitude on the Earth, by which the direction of a celestial body or a point in the sky can be specified. The direction is defined and determined by two spherical coordinates, referred to a fundamental great circle lying on the celestial sphere and a point on the fundamental circle (see illustration). One coordinate (a) is the angular distance of the celestial body measured perpendicular to the fundamental circle along an auxiliary great circle passing through the body and the poles of the fundamental circle. The other coordinate (b) is the angular distance measured along the fundamental circle from a selected zero point to the intersection of the auxiliary circle.

There are four main coordinate systems: the equatorial, horizontal, ecliptic, and galactic coordinate systems (see table). They are all centered on the Earth. Transformations can be made from one system to another by means of the relationships between the angles and sides of the relevant spherical triangles. The astronomical triangle, for example, relates equatorial and horizontal coordinates; the triangle formed by the celestial body and the poles of the equator and ecliptic relates equatorial and ecliptic coordinates. See also heliocentric coordinate system.

coordinate system

noun

Synonyms for coordinate system

noun a system that uses coordinates to establish position

Synonyms

frame of reference
reference frame
reference system

Related Words

organization
arrangement
organisation
system
Cartesian coordinate system
coordinate axis
inertial frame
inertial reference frame
space-time
space-time continuum