Definition:South Celestial Pole
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Definition
Let $O$ be a celestial observer situated at the surface of Earth in the Southern hemisphere.
Let $OQ$ be a straight line parallel to Earth's axis.
Let $Q$ be the point in the visible hemisphere at which $OQ$ meets the celestial sphere.
Then $Q$ is the south celestial pole.
That is, the south celestial pole is the pole of the celestial equator which is the zenith of the South Pole.
In the above diagram, the south celestial pole is indicated by $Q$.
Also known as
The south celestial pole is also referred to as the south pole, but this can be confused with the South Pole of Earth itself.
Also see
Sources
- 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): celestial equator
- 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): celestial sphere
- 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): celestial equator
- 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): celestial sphere