altitude of celestial body
1celestial navigation — navigation by means of observations made of the apparent position of heavenly bodies. Also called astronavigation, celo navigation. [1935 40] * * * use of the observed positions of celestial bodies to determine a navigator s position. At… …
2celestial coordinates — Two coordinates on the surface of the celestial sphere used to determine the position of a celestial body. Two sets of celestial coordinates are in common use: the equinoctial system, in which the coordinates are a declination and an hour circle …
3Celestial horizon — Horizon Ho*ri zon, n. [F., fr. L. horizon, fr. Gr. ? (sc. ?) the bounding line, horizon, fr. ? to bound, fr. ? boundary, limit.] 1. The line which bounds that part of the earth s surface visible to a spectator from a given point; the apparent… …
4celestial horizon — Horizon Ho*ri zon, n. [F., fr. L. horizon, fr. Gr. ? (sc. ?) the bounding line, horizon, fr. ? to bound, fr. ? boundary, limit.] 1. The line which bounds that part of the earth s surface visible to a spectator from a given point; the apparent… …
5celestial altitude — The vertical angle between the celestial horizon of an observer and a line that joins a given celestial body with the center of the earth …
6Celestial navigation — Celestial navigation, also known as astronavigation, is a position fixing technique that was devised to help sailors cross the featureless oceans without having to rely on dead reckoning to enable them to strike land. Celestial navigation uses… …
7Celestial coordinate system — For other uses of Celestial , see Celestial (disambiguation). Orientation of Astronomical Coordinates Orientation of the galactic, ecliptic and equatorial coordinate systems, projected on the celestial sphere, showing the galactic equator (black) …
8celestial azimuth — The angle measured clockwise (from north through east) from the plane of the vertical circle through the body. See celestial altitude …
9computed altitude — i. The indicated altitude corrected for installation and instrument errors. Also called calibrated altitude. ii. A mathematical computation of the correct celestial altitude of a body at a specific geographic position, for a given date and time.… …
10meridian altitude — noun 1. : the arc of the meridian intercepted between a celestial body at meridian transit and the south point of the horizon 2. : the altitude of a celestial body when it is on an observer s meridian * * * meridian altitude noun The arc of a… …
