Astronomy Concepts

General astronomical principles 21 Terms

General astronomical principles
Showing: Beginner level terms

Apparent magnitude measures how bright an object appears from Earth, with lower/negative values being brighter.

250 views

Declination (Dec, δ) is celestial latitude—angular distance north (+) or south (-) of the celestial equator, analogous t...

264 views

An equinox occurs when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, making day and night approximately equal length everywhere...

272 views

The nadir is the point directly below the observer (altitude = -90°), opposite the zenith.

266 views

Right Ascension (RA, α) is celestial longitude—angular distance eastward along celestial equator from the vernal equinox...

257 views

A solstice occurs when the Sun reaches its northernmost or southernmost point in the sky, marking the longest and shorte...

238 views

The zenith is the point directly overhead (altitude = 90°), the highest point in an observer's sky.

250 views