Definition:Astronomical Triangle

Definition

Let $P$ be a point on the celestial sphere $\CC$.

Consider the following $3$ great circles on $\CC$:

the great circle between $P$ and the zenith

the great circle between $P$ and the north celestial pole

the great circle between the zenith and the north celestial pole.

The spherical triangle formed by these $3$ great circles is called the astronomical triangle with respect to $P$.

Also see

• Results about astronomical triangles can be found here.

Sources

• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): astronomical triangle
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): astronomical triangle