Latitude
1) The geographical latitude is the angle measured in degrees between a location on the Earth's surface and the equator. The 90 degrees North of the equator are known as the Northern latitudes and those South of the equator as the Southern latitudes.
The combination of geographical longitude with geographical latitude makes it possible to precisely calculate the location of any place on the Earth's surface.
2) When both the ecliptic latitude and longitude are measured it is possible to accurately locate any position on the celestial sphere in relation to the ecliptic. The ecliptic latitude is measured in degrees and describes the distance from the ecliptic along a longitudinal circle which is at a right angle to the ecliptic.
The latitude which measures the vertical angle of a planet is not to be confused with the - positive (north) or negative (southern) - declination, i.e. a planet's deviation from the Ecliptic.
See also
Weblinks
- Wikipedia: Ecliptic coordinate system
- How is Latitude different than Longitude? (MooMooMath and Science; 2,2 min)
- Selection of Ephemerides for 6000 years at Astrodienst (includes option for declinations and latitudes)
Notes and References
- ↑ As seen from outside the elestial sphere. Ecliptic latiitude (yellow) is measured perpendicular to the ecliptic