Celestial Coordinates
Celestial Coordinates
| Group Name | radec |
| Reference | -- |
| Prepared by | Brian Abbott (AMNH/Hayden) |
| Labels | Yes |
| Files | radec.speck |
| Dependencies | none |
The celestial (or equatorial) coordinates trace Earth's system of latitude and longitude onto the night sky. The brighter blue line is the celestial equator and lies directly above Earth's equator. A detailed description of the celestial coordinates can be found in “Celestial Coordinates Sphere” in the Milky Way Atlas.
From outside Earth's view, the coordinates are rendered as a sphere. The radius of this sphere is 1 megaparsec, coincident with the sphere of stars, the constellations, and the visible Milky Way.
© 2002-2005 American Museum of Natural History
Last Modified: 2007-12-19 by Brian Abbott