Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
right ascension
noun
/raɪt əˈsɛnʃən/
Definition
The angle in the celestial coordinate system that indicates the east-west position of an object in the sky.
Examples
- The right ascension of Sirius is approximately 6 hours 45 minutes.
- Astronomers calculate the right ascension to locate stars accurately in the night sky.
Meaning
Right ascension is analogous to longitude on Earth but measured in hours, minutes, and seconds. It is used in astronomy to define the position of celestial bodies.
Synonyms
- Celestial longitude
- RA
