Positional Astronomy: <br>Ecliptic and equatorial coordinates

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Positional Astronomy:
The relation between ecliptic and equatorial coordinates
{Note: If your browser does not distinguish between "a,b" and ", " (the Greek letters "alpha, beta") then I am afraid you will not be able to make much sense of the equations on this page.}

Draw the triangle KPX,

where P is the North Celestial Pole,
K is the north pole of the ecliptic,
and X is the object in question.
Apply the cosine rule:
cos(90-) = cos(90-) cos() + sin(90-) sin() cos(90-)
i.e. sin() = sin() cos() + cos() sin() sin()
Alternatively, apply the same rule to the other corner, and get:
cos(90-) = cos(90-) cos() + sin(90-) sin() cos(90+)
i.e. sin() = sin() cos() - cos() sin() sin()
Now try applying the sine rule to the same triangle,
sin(90-) / sin(90+) = sin(90-) / sin(90-)
i.e. cos() cos() = cos() cos()

Grouping these three relations together, we have:

sin() = sin() cos() + cos() sin() sin()
sin() = sin() cos() - cos() sin() sin()
cos() cos() = cos() cos()

Exercise:
Aldebaran has Right Ascension 4h36m, declination +1631'.
What are its ecliptic coordinates?
Click here for the answer.

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3.12.2016 17:04

Positional Astronomy: <br>Ecliptic and equatorial coordinates

2 of 2

http://star-www.st-and.ac.uk/~fv/webnotes/chapt9a.htm

3.12.2016 17:04