Re: VMs: OT: was Re: Chinese theory, pushed against the wall...

[Pamela Richards <spirlhelix@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi, Rene

Thank you for the clarification!

So, are the coordinates of stars usually expressed in
latitude, or declination?

Warmly,

Pam

--- Rene Zandbergen <r_zandbergen@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Aplogies for a small nitpick:
> 
> --- Pamela Richards <spirlhelix@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> > Or, perhaps the ladies are reclining to represent
> > the
> > latitude of the stars they are joined with (the
> more
> > proper term for latitude of stars is declination).
> 
> 
> Actually, latitude is the 'distance' from the
> ecliptic
> (which is largely unaffected by precession) and
> declination is the 'distance' from the celestial
> equator (which is the quantity used in modern
> star catalogues, but varies significantly with
> precession). Both quantities are computed from 
> observations made by ground-based observers,
> who see azimuth (similar to compass direction)
> and elevation (angle above the horizon).
> 
> The conversion rules were already well known by
> the ancient Greeks.
> 
> Cheers, Rene
> 
> 
> 		
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=====
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