ASTR 1101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Ecliptic, Celestial Sphere, Celestial Equator
Document Summary
Celestial motions: movement of the stars and our sun (where things are and how they move) We have a solar calendar, some cultures have lunar calendars, and some have both. Celestial sphere: surrounds the earth, rotates around it , everything on it. Sun, moon, planets, ext: north and south extend out into celestial sphere n creates the celestial north/south poles on which it rotates on, has a celestial equator. How far north/south is declination (measured in degrees). North pole is +90, south is 90: right ascention tell you how far east/west of the vernal equinox in hours, minutes and seconds, adds up to 24 hours. Suns path across the celestial sphere: ecliptic- the suns path, has an inclination of 23. 5 degrees from the celestial equator, highest sun will ever be (23. 5)- summer solstice. Lowest sun will ever be (-23. 5)- winter solstice: (spring/fall equinox) = 0 degrees)
