2
$\begingroup$

...or what's the 'direction of vernal equinox'?

For both Ecliptic and Equatorial coordinate system, the Wikipedia article gives "Primary direction (0° longitude)" - "Vernal Equinox", linking to article on the event of the Equinox which never mentions any directions associated with it.

I guess the direction will be associated with the axis connecting the Sun and Earth during vernal equinox, but which direction of the line? Outward, with the meridian running opposite of the Sun, or inward, the meridian crossing the Sun at vernal equinox? Or maybe my guess is entirely wrong?

Generally, how would one go about converting celestial (ecliptic or equatorial) latitude to Earth latitude or vice versa - e.g. finding where on Earth an object of given celestial coordinates is in zenith at given time? The linked article has several formulas of converting between various celestial coordinate systems but either no conversion to Earth coordinates or I failed to understand some of the conversions.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3
$\begingroup$

The equatorial plane and the ecliptic plane cross each other, like shown in this illustration:

The "Vernal Equinox" is simply the direction of the line where they cross.

You can not obtain the Earth latitude from the ecliptic latitude alone, as the planes are not parallel. You must know the ecliptic longitude as well.

From equatorial to Earth latitude it is much simpler, the latitude is equal to the declination.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
8
  • $\begingroup$ They cross in two places, on two sides of the celestial sphere. One is for Vernal Equinox, the other for Autumnal. Which is which? $\endgroup$
    – SF.
    Jan 31, 2016 at 20:10
  • $\begingroup$ @SF. The Vernal Equinox is in Pisces. Towards the sun at Vernal Equinox. $\endgroup$
    – SE - stop firing the good guys
    Jan 31, 2016 at 20:16
  • $\begingroup$ So - at (local) noon of the day of spring equinox the equatorial system prime meridian is directly above my head (accurate to precession since Jan. 1st, 2000, plus how much Earth has moved since the exact moment of equinox until noon.) Do I understand it correctly? $\endgroup$
    – SF.
    Jan 31, 2016 at 20:59
  • $\begingroup$ sounds right, but I must check that to be sure $\endgroup$
    – SE - stop firing the good guys
    Jan 31, 2016 at 21:04
  • $\begingroup$ @SF. Only "directly above [your] head" if you happen to be on the equator. More generally "directly toward the sun" wherever you are (plus your 2 caveats). $\endgroup$
    – Jeff Y
    Feb 1, 2016 at 16:04

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .