Question

a) Explain how the equatorial coordinate system works

Answer 1

Answer:

The equatorial coordinate system is basically the projection of the latitude and longitude coordinate system we use here on Earth, onto the celestial sphere. ... An object's position is given by its RA (measured east from the vernal equinox) and Dec (measured north or south of the celestial equator).

Answer 2

Equatorial coordinate system

Explanation:

• The Equatorial coordinate system is basically the projection of the latitude and longitude coordinate system we use here on Earth, onto the Celestial sphere.

• A Celestial coordinate system in which an object's position on the celestial sphere is described in terms of its north-south declination and east-west right ascension, measured relative to the celestial equator and vernal equinox, respectively.

• An object's position is given by its RA (measured east from the vernal equinox) and Dec (measured north or south of the celestial equator).

• The Equatorial Coordinate System uses two measurements, right ascension and declination.
• Right ascension (abbreviated RA) is similar to longitude and is measured in hours, minutes and seconds eastward along the celestial equator.
• The distance around the celestial equator is equal to 24 hours.

• Declination is analogous to latitude and is measured in degrees, arcminutes and arcseconds, north or south of the equinoctial circle .
• Positive values for declination correspond to positions north of the equator, while negative values ask positions south of the equator. The declination of the north pole is 90° 0' 0" and therefore the south celestial pole's declination is -90° 0' 0". The equator is 0° 0' 0".