Symbols:Greek/Lambda/Celestial Longitude

Celestial Longitude

$\lambda$

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

Let $J$ be a great circle on the celestial sphere passing through $P$ and both of the north ecliptic pole and south ecliptic pole.

The celestial longitude $\lambda$ of $P$ is the (spherical) angle (measuring east) that $J$ makes with the vernal equinox.

It ranges from $0$ to $360 \degrees$.

The $\LaTeX$ code for \(\lambda\) is \lambda .

Sources

• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): celestial longitude (ecliptic longitude)
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): ecliptic coordinate system
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): celestial longitude (ecliptic longitude)
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): ecliptic coordinate system