| map |
a representation of a geographic or celestial region, usu. drawn or printed to scale on a flat surface. [1/3 definitions] |
| meridian |
a similar circle that passes through the poles of the celestial sphere. [2/7 definitions] |
| North Pole |
the point on the celestial sphere that is intersected by a northward extension of the earth's axis. [1/4 definitions] |
| occult |
to conceal by passing in front of, as one celestial body may conceal another. [1/8 definitions] |
| occultation |
the disappearance of one celestial body behind another, as when a planet or star is obscured by the moon. [1/2 definitions] |
| octant |
the position of one celestial body forty-five degrees away from another. [1/4 definitions] |
| outer space |
space beyond the defined boundaries of a celestial body, esp. the earth. |
| planet |
a large, nonluminous celestial body, esp. one of the nine in the solar system, that revolves around a star and often has one or more satellites. [2 definitions] |
| planisphere |
a projection on a plane of the celestial sphere, with a movable overlay showing which stars are visible at a particular place and time. [1/2 definitions] |
| Polaris |
a variable binary star near the north celestial pole in the constellation Ursa Minor, having a magnitude of 2.1; North Star. |
| polestar |
a bright star near the north celestial pole; Polaris; North Star. [1/2 definitions] |
| quadrant |
an apparatus formerly used to measure the altitude of celestial objects, esp. for navigation. [1/5 definitions] |
| right ascension |
the angular distance of the arc of one of the hour circles of a celestial body, measured eastward along the equator from the vernal equinox to the intersection of the hour circle, and expressed in degrees or hours; the celestial equivalent of longitude. |
| sextile |
the position or aspect of two celestial bodies that are sixty degrees apart. |
| solstice |
either of the two times in the year when the sun is furthest from the celestial equator, occurring in June and December. |
| South Pole |
the point on the celestial sphere that is intersected by a southward extension of the earth's axis. [1/4 definitions] |
| sphere of influence |
in astronomy, the region around a celestial body within which the primary gravitational force on an orbiting object is that body. [1/3 definitions] |
| star |
any of a vast number of celestial bodies that emit tremendous heat and light, and which can be visible from earth as points of light in the night sky. [1/11 definitions] |
| supernal |
of or pertaining to heaven or the sky; celestial. [1/2 definitions] |
| syzygy |
in astronomy, the alignment, either in conjunction or opposition, of three celestial bodies within the same gravitational system, esp. the sun, moon, and earth. [1/3 definitions] |
| transit |
the passage of a celestial body across the face of another or across the meridian or the telescopic field of an observer. [2/7 definitions] |