celestial equator

projection of the Earth's equator out into space

AI overview

The celestial equator is an imaginary line in the sky created by extending Earth's equator outward into space. Astronomers use it as a reference point for locating and tracking stars and other celestial objects, similar to how we use latitude and longitude on Earth.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Wikidata facts

Image: AxialTiltObliquity.png

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Commons category: Celestial equator
declination: 0

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wikidata.org

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Article

The celestial equator is currently inclined by about 23.44° to the ecliptic plane. The image shows the relations between Earth's axial tilt (or obliquity), rotation axis, and orbital plane.

Celestial equator in relation to the galactic and ecliptic planes