CELESTIAL SPHERE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does celestial sphere mean? 

• CELESTIAL SPHERE (noun)
  The noun CELESTIAL SPHERE has 1 sense:

1. the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

  Familiarity information: CELESTIAL SPHERE used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CELESTIAL SPHERE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Synonyms:

celestial sphere; empyrean; firmament; heavens; sphere; vault of heaven; welkin

Hypernyms ("celestial sphere" is a kind of...):

surface (the extended two-dimensional outer boundary of a three-dimensional object)

Meronyms (parts of "celestial sphere"):

apex; apex of the sun's way; solar apex (the point on the celestial sphere toward which the sun and solar system appear to be moving relative to the fixed stars)

celestial point (a point in the heavens (on the celestial sphere))

nadir (the point below the observer that is directly opposite the zenith on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected)

zenith (the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected)

zodiac (a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes)

 Context examples 

The great circle on the celestial sphere midway between the celestial poles (the projection of the north and south pole onto the celestial sphere).

(Celestial equator, NOAA Paleoclimate Glossary)

The apparent path of the sun on the celestial sphere, also used for the plane in which the motion of the earth around the sun takes place.

(Ecliptic, NOAA Paleoclimate Glossary)

Either of two points on the celestial sphere where the celestial equator intersects the ecliptic; either of the two times each year when the sun crosses the equator, and day and night are of equal length (spring equinox, fall equinox).

(Equinox, NOAA Paleoclimate Glossary)