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Spherical Astronomy
Spherical Astronomy
Useful References:
Smart, Text-Book on Spherical Astronomy (or similar)
Astronomical Almanac and Astronomical Almanacs
Explanatory Supplement (always definitive)
Lang, Astrophysical Formulae (for quick reference)
Allen Astrophysical Quantities (for quick reference)
Karttunen, Fundamental Astronomy (e-book version
accessible from Penn State at
http://www.springerlink.com/content/j5658r/
Spherical Astronomy
sin A sin B
=
sin a sinb
and
Coordinate Systems
There are at least 5 types of spherical coordinate systems that are
commonly used in astronomy
1) Horizon Coordinates (altitude-azimuth): defined by the place and
time of observation (a, A)
2) Equatorial Coordinates (right ascension declination): defined by
the Earths rotation axis (, )
3) Ecliptic Coordinates: defined by Earths ecliptic plane (, )
4) Galactic Coordinates: defined by the plane of the Milky Way (, b)
5) Supergalactic Coordinates: defined by the large scale structure of
the local universe (L, B)
Zenith
North Celestial
Pole
90o
90o a
90o -
Angles :
star
A: 360o azimuth
H: Hour angle
Celestial Equator
Horizon
: Latitude
vernal equinox
Zenith
North Celestial
Pole
90o
90o a
90o -
Angles :
star
A: 360o azimuth
H: Hour angle
Celestial Equator
: Latitude
Horizon
vernal equinox
Zenith
North Celestial
Pole
90o
90o a
90o -
Angles :
star
A: 360o azimuth
H: Hour angle
Celestial Equator
: Latitude
Horizon
vernal equinox
Ecliptic Coordinates
Ecliptic coordinates (, ) are
defined via the plane of the
Earths orbit about the Sun. In
this system, the ecliptic pole
(=90) is defined as the
direction perpendicular to the
Earths orbital plane in the
northern part of the sky. Since
the Earths obliquity (tilt) is
about 23.5, the direction of
this pole is close to = 66.5
(actually, = 66 33 38.55).
The zero point of longitude ()
is the same as that used for
equatorial positions: the
direction of the vernal equinox.
Galactic Coordinates
For many problems, Galactic
Coordinates (, b) are the most
natural. Until 1958, the north
galactic pole was defined to be
at 12h40m,+28 (B1900), with
=0 being the vernal equinox.
(This is the I, bI system.) In
1958, however, the IAU moved
the Galactic pole to 12h49m,
+2724(1950) and decoupled
longitude from the vernal
equinox. Now, the intersection
between the Galactic and
equatorial planes at the
ascending node is defined to be
18h49m at =33.
Galactic Coordinates
For many problems, Galactic
Coordinates (, b) are the most
natural. Until 1958, the north
galactic pole was defined to be
at 12h40m,+28 (B1900), with
=0 being the vernal equinox.
(This is the I, bI system.) In
1958, however, the IAU moved
the Galactic pole to 12h49m,
+2724(1950) and decoupled
longitude from the vernal
equinox. Now, the intersection
between the Galactic and
equatorial planes at the
ascending node is defined to be
18h49m at =33.
cos
cos
cos
sin
sin
cos
# & #
&
sin l0
cos l0
0
0& # 1
0
(%
0( % 0 cos 0
(
1' %$ 0 sin 0
0 & # cos 0
(%
sin 0 ( % sin 0
%
cos (' $ 0
sin 0
cos 0
0
0& # x &
(% (
0( % y (
(% (
1' $ z '
0(1950) = 62.6
0 = 33
Supergalactic Coordinates
In the 1950s, de Vaucouleurs noticed that most bright galaxies fall in
a plane which is roughly perpendicular to the plane of the Milky Way.
This is actually the reflection of extragalactic large scale structure.
The supergalactic north pole lies at ( = 47.37, b = +6.32) and SGB
= 0, SBL = 0 is at ( = 137.37, b = 0). Many galaxy surveys use
these Supergalactic coordinates.
WISE