Celestial poles
- Celestial poles
- Pole Pole, n. [L. polus, Gr. ? a pivot or hinge on which
anything turns, an axis, a pole; akin to ? to move: cf. F.
p[^o]le.]
1. Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one
of the extremities of the earth's axis; as, the north
pole.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Spherics) A point upon the surface of a sphere equally distant from every part of the circumference of a great circle; or the point in which a diameter of the sphere perpendicular to the plane of such circle meets the surface. Such a point is called the pole of that circle; as, the pole of the horizon; the pole of the ecliptic; the pole of a given meridian. [1913 Webster]
3. (Physics) One of the opposite or contrasted parts or directions in which a polar force is manifested; a point of maximum intensity of a force which has two such points, or which has polarity; as, the poles of a magnet; the north pole of a needle. [1913 Webster]
4. The firmament; the sky. [Poetic] [1913 Webster]
Shoots against the dusky pole. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
5. (Geom.) See {Polarity}, and {Polar}, n. [1913 Webster]
{Magnetic pole}. See under {Magnetic}.
{Poles of the earth}, or {Terrestrial poles} (Geog.), the two opposite points on the earth's surface through which its axis passes.
{Poles of the heavens}, or {Celestial poles}, the two opposite points in the celestial sphere which coincide with the earth's axis produced, and about which the heavens appear to revolve. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
Look at other dictionaries:
Poles of astronomical bodies — This article is about geographic, magnetic and other poles on planets and other astronomical bodies. For the Earth s poles, see North Pole, South Pole, North Magnetic Pole, and South Magnetic Pole. See also Pole of inaccessibility. The poles of… … Wikipedia
Celestial pole — The north and south celestial poles and their relation to axis of rotation, plane of orbit and axial tilt … Wikipedia
Celestial coordinate system — For other uses of Celestial , see Celestial (disambiguation). Orientation of Astronomical Coordinates Orientation of the galactic, ecliptic and equatorial coordinate systems, projected on the celestial sphere, showing the galactic equator (black) … Wikipedia
celestial sphere — the imaginary spherical shell formed by the sky, usually represented as an infinite sphere, the center of which is a given observer s position. [1875 80] * * * Apparent surface of the heavens, on which the stars seem to be fixed. For the purpose… … Universalium
Poles of the earth — Pole Pole, n. [L. polus, Gr. ? a pivot or hinge on which anything turns, an axis, a pole; akin to ? to move: cf. F. p[^o]le.] 1. Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the extremities of the earth s axis; as, the north pole.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Poles of the heavens — Pole Pole, n. [L. polus, Gr. ? a pivot or hinge on which anything turns, an axis, a pole; akin to ? to move: cf. F. p[^o]le.] 1. Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the extremities of the earth s axis; as, the north pole.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
celestial equator — noun Date: 1848 the great circle on the celestial sphere midway between the celestial poles … New Collegiate Dictionary
Terrestrial poles — Pole Pole, n. [L. polus, Gr. ? a pivot or hinge on which anything turns, an axis, a pole; akin to ? to move: cf. F. p[^o]le.] 1. Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the extremities of the earth s axis; as, the north pole.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Magnetic field of celestial bodies — See also Earth s magnetic field The magnetic field of a rotating body of conductive gas or liquid develops self amplifying electric currents, and thus a self generated magnetic field, due to a combination of differential rotation (different… … Wikipedia
hour circle — noun Date: 1690 a circle on the celestial sphere that passes through both celestial poles … New Collegiate Dictionary