longitude : Idioms & Phrases


celestial longitude

  • noun (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
    right ascension; RA.
    • one hour of right ascension equals fifteen degrees
WordNet

Circles of longitude

  • lesser circles parallel to the ecliptic, diminishing as they recede from it.
Webster 1913

Degree of longitude

  • the distance on a parallel of latitude between two meridians that make an angle of one degree with each other at the poles a distance which varies as the cosine of the latitude, being at the equator 69.16 statute miles.
Webster 1913

Geocentric longitude

  • (Astron.), the longitude of a heavenly body as seen from the earth.
Webster 1913

Heliocentric longitude

  • the longitude of a heavenly body, as seen from the sun's center.
Webster 1913

Heliocentric place, latitude, longitude

  • etc. (of a heavenly body), the direction, latitude, longitude, etc., of the body as viewed from the sun.
Webster 1913

line of longitude

  • noun an imaginary great circle on the surface of the earth passing through the north and south poles at right angles to the equator
    meridian.
    • all points on the same meridian have the same longitude
WordNet

Longitude stars

  • certain stars whose position is known, and the data in regard to which are used in observations for finding the longitude, as by lunar distances.
Webster 1913

Refraction of latitude, longitude, declination, right ascension

  • etc., the change in the apparent latitude, longitude, etc., of a heavenly body, due to the effect of atmospheric refraction.
Webster 1913