Astronomy: Coordinate Quiz

Terrestrial coordinates

Latitude and longitude

Terrestrial zero points

Equator and prime Meridian

Terrestrial measuring units

Degrees

Terrestrial system

Observer and time dependent

Horizon coordinates

Altitude and azimuth

Horizon zero points

The horizon and true north

Horizon measuring units

Degrees and seconds of arc

Horizon system

Observant and time dependent

Equatorial coordinates

Declination and right ascension

Equatorial zero points

The celestial equator and vernal equinox

Equatorial measuring units

Degrees, hours, minutes, and seconds

Equatorial system

Fixed system

Azimuth

Horizontal angle measured along the horizon- measured from reference direction at true north

Horizon

Flat plane perpendicular to observer's zenith

Declination

North or south coordinate equal to the angular distance from the celestial equator: degrees, minutes, seconds

True north

Fixed and constant direction towards the North Pole

Degrees

Unit of measurement - 1 degree = 60 arcminutes

Altitude

Vertical angle measured from horizon to object - ranges zero degrees at horizon to 90 degrees at zenith

Celestial equator

Imaginary circle on the celestial sphere

Hours

Unit of measurement in right ascension

Vernal equinox

Position of the sun on the celestial sphere on the first moment of spring

Latitude

Horizontal lines running parallel to the equator -measure distance north and south of the equator

Right ascension

Angular distance measured eastward along the celestial equator from the vernal equinox: hours, minutes, seconds

Prime meridian

Divides earth from pole to pole, zero point for E and W hemispheres

Longitude

Run vertically from poles - measure angular distance East and west of the prime meridian