Astronomy Concepts

General astronomical principles 21 Terms

General astronomical principles
Showing: Beginner level terms

Apparent magnitude measures how bright an object appears from Earth, with lower/negative values being brighter.

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Declination (Dec, δ) is celestial latitude—angular distance north (+) or south (-) of the celestial equator, analogous t...

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An equinox occurs when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, making day and night approximately equal length everywhere...

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The nadir is the point directly below the observer (altitude = -90°), opposite the zenith.

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Right Ascension (RA, α) is celestial longitude—angular distance eastward along celestial equator from the vernal equinox...

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A solstice occurs when the Sun reaches its northernmost or southernmost point in the sky, marking the longest and shorte...

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The zenith is the point directly overhead (altitude = 90°), the highest point in an observer's sky.

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