CHAPTER I. DEFINITIONS. —SPHERICAL PROBLEMS, 1, Spheriesl Astronomy. — This department of Astronomy. arises from the application of Spherical Trigonometry to the Celestial Sphore, It takes no account of the real distances and magnitudes of the heavenly bodies, but only of their relative directions. Whatever their actual positions, they are all regarded as situated on the surface of a sphere of indefinitely great radius, of which the earth is the conter. 2. Practical Astronomy. —'This branch of the subject ‘treats of tho theory and use of astronomical instruments, and the practical solution of astronomical problems re- quiring data derived from observation, Cimenes oF Tam Crnmsriar SPamee. 8. Axis and Poles. —'The azis of the oclestial sphere, PP, Fig. 1, is the earth's axis produced, Its extremities aro the poles of the sphere, 4, Equator.—Tho equator, CWD, is the great circle ‘whose plane is perpendicular to the axis. 5. Vertical Line. —The vertical line, ZON, is the line indicated by the direction of the plumbline at the given place. Tt intersects the celestial sphere in the zenith and nadir, @. Horizon. —The horizon, AWB, is the great circle ‘whose plane is perpendicular to the vertical line, It has ‘the zenith and nadir for poles. Google2 DEFINITIONS. 7. Meridian. — The meridian, APZB, is the great circle ‘whose plane passes through the zenith and the poles. It interseets the horizon in the north and south points, A and B. Prime Vertical. — ‘The prime vertical, ZWNE, ia the great cirole passing through the zenith perpendicular to the meridian, It intersects the horizon in the east and west points. 8, Eoliptic and Equinoxes. — Tho ecliptic, VF, is the great circle which the sun appears to describe during the yoar. ‘Phe point V, where the sun crosses the equator from south tonorth, is the vernal equinoz. ‘The point where it crosses from north to south is the autumnal eguinoz. ‘The points of the ecliptic 90° distant from the equinoxes are called solstices, 10. Obliquity. —The obliquity of tho ecliptic is the angle which its plane makes with that of the equator. It is about 33° 27". GoogleSPHERICAL CO-ORDINATES. 38 Spareicat, Co-onprxates. 11. The position of a body on the calestial sphore is dotormined by either of threo systems of spherical eoordi- nates, In the first aystem the body's position is referred to the ‘horizon, and the co-ordinates are called azimuth and altitude. 12. Vertical Circles. — Suppose a series of great circles drawn through the zenith and nadir, and, of course, per- pendicular to the horizon. ‘They are called vertical circles. 18, Aximuth.—‘The azimuth of a body is the aro of the horizon between the north point and the vertical circle pass- ing through the body. Or, it is the angle at the zenith measured by this aro. If 8, Fig. 1, is the position of a star, its azimuth is AH =AZH, and will be denoted by Z. In @ similar way, azimuth may be measured from the south point. The azimuth of the star $ from tho south point is Bif= 52H, and denowd vy Z. We evidently have Z' = 180°— Z. 14, Altitude and Zenith Distanoe.—‘Tho altitude of a ‘ody is its distanee from the horizon measured on a ver- tical circle. The altitude of the star S is HS, denoted by h ‘Tho cenith distance, ZS, is tho complement of tho alti- ‘tude, It is denoted by 2, and we have 2 = 90° —A, 16. In the second system the body’s position is referred to the equator, and the co-ordinates are called right ascension ‘and declination. 16. Hour Circles. — Suppose a series of great circles drawn through tho poles; that is, perpendicular to the equator. They are called hour cides. Google4 DEFINITIONS. ‘The hour circle passing through the equinoxes is called the equinoctial colure, and that through the solstices, the soletitial colure 17, Hour Angle. —The hour arigle of a body, 8, is the - angle which its hour circle, PM, makes with the meridian; or the are, OM, of the equator, which measures that angle. It is always measured westward from the meridian, and aenoted by P. 18, Right Ascension —The right ascension of a body is the distance on the equator from the vernal equinox, east ‘ward, to the hour circle of the body. ‘The right ascension of S is VAG denoted by «, or sometimes by R. A. 19, Declination and Polar Distanoe.—The declination of body is its distance from the equator measured on an hour circle, If north of the equator, the declination is positive; if south, negative, The declination, AS, is denoted by & The polar distance, PS, is denoted by p, and we have p=W8 20, In the third system, the place of the body is referred ‘to the ecliptic, and the co-ordinates are called celestial longi- tude and latitude, 21, Latitude Circles. — Suppose a series of great circles Grawn through the poles of the ecliptic: they are called latitude circles. 22, Celestial Longitude. — The longitude of a body is the distance, VR= L, on the ecliptio from the vernal equinox, eastward, to the latitude circle through the body. 28, Celestial Latitude. —Tho latitude of a body is its distance, RS=1, from the ecliptic, measured on a latitude circle. Google