NOUN
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(astronomy) the equatorial coordinate specifying the angle, measured eastward along the celestial equator, from the vernal equinox to the intersection of the hour circle that passes through an object in the sky; usually expressed in hours and minutes and seconds; used with declination to specify positions on the celestial sphere
one hour of right ascension equals fifteen degrees
How To Use right ascension In A Sentence
- Any object on the same hour circle will have the same right ascension, just as any place on earth on the same meridian of longitude has the same longitude.
- Right ascension makes it easy to use the apparent diurnal rotation of the celestial sphere as a means to telling time.
- one hour of right ascension equals fifteen degrees
- Whereas terrestrial longitude uses meridians of longitude, right ascension uses hour circles which run between the north and south celestial poles.
- Right ascension, measures the easterly distance of an object from the vernal point, along the plane of the celestial equator.
