Astronomy Concepts
General astronomical principles 21 Terms
Apparent magnitude measures how bright an object appears from Earth, with lower/negative values being brighter.
Declination (Dec, δ) is celestial latitude—angular distance north (+) or south (-) of the celestial equator, analogous t...
Equinox
⭐An equinox occurs when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, making day and night approximately equal length everywhere...
Nadir
⭐The nadir is the point directly below the observer (altitude = -90°), opposite the zenith.
Right Ascension (RA, α) is celestial longitude—angular distance eastward along celestial equator from the vernal equinox...
Solstice
⭐A solstice occurs when the Sun reaches its northernmost or southernmost point in the sky, marking the longest and shorte...
Zenith
⭐The zenith is the point directly overhead (altitude = 90°), the highest point in an observer's sky.