Declination: Difference between revisions
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→Stars: In the image caption it said Declination was blue, but it is actually green. |
imported>Alkeralex m Edited opening paragraph and first line to make more consistent with the right ascension article. Also edited word order of the declination root and its origin to make slightly more concise |
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{{Short description|Astronomical coordinate analogous to latitude}} | {{Short description|Astronomical coordinate analogous to latitude}} | ||
{{Other uses}} | {{Other uses}} | ||
In [[astronomy]], '''declination''' (abbreviated '''dec'''; symbol '''''δ''''') is | In [[astronomy]], '''declination''' (abbreviated '''dec'''; symbol '''''δ''''') is the [[angular distance]] from the [[celestial equator]] on the [[celestial sphere]]; when paired with right ascension, it forms the [[equatorial coordinate system]]. The declination angle is measured north (positive) or south (negative) of the celestial equator, lining up with the [[hour circle]] passing through the point in question.<ref> | ||
{{cite book | {{cite book | ||
| last1 = U.S. Naval Observatory | | last1 = U.S. Naval Observatory | ||
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[[Right ascension]] and '''declination''' as seen on the inside of the [[celestial sphere]]. The primary direction of the system is the [[equinox|vernal equinox]], the ascending node of the [[ecliptic]] (red) on the celestial equator (blue). Declination is measured northward or southward from the celestial equator, along the [[hour circle]] passing through the point in question.]] | [[Right ascension]] and '''declination''' as seen on the inside of the [[celestial sphere]]. The primary direction of the system is the [[equinox|vernal equinox]], the ascending node of the [[ecliptic]] (red) on the celestial equator (blue). Declination is measured northward or southward from the celestial equator, along the [[hour circle]] passing through the point in question.]] | ||
The | The word ''declination'' traces roots from (Latin, ''declinatio''), meaning "bending away" or "bending down". It comes from the same root as the words ''incline'' ("bend forward") and ''recline'' ("bend backward").<ref> | ||
{{cite book | {{cite book | ||
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a6MRAAAAIAAJ | |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a6MRAAAAIAAJ | ||