Equinoctial Point (Noun)
Meaning
(astronomy) either of the two celestial points at which the celestial equator intersects the ecliptic.
Classification
Nouns denoting spatial position.
Examples
- The vernal equinoctial point is the point on the celestial equator where the Sun crosses from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere at the beginning of spring.
- Astronomers use the equinoctial points as reference points to calculate the position of celestial objects in the sky.
- The autumnal equinoctial point marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
- The equinoctial points are also known as the first point of Aries and the first point of Libra, although due to the procession of the equinoxes, these points no longer coincide with the constellations of Aries and Libra.
- The position of the equinoctial points changes over time due to the procession of the equinoxes, which is caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis.