FACTOID # 31: Almost half of Ecuador is subject to environmental protection.
 
 Home   Encyclopedia   Statistics   Countries A-Z   Flags   Maps   Education   Forum   FAQ   About 
 
 
 
WHAT'S NEW
RECENT ARTICLES
More Recent Articles »
 

SEARCH ALL

FACTS & STATISTICS    Advanced view

Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 

 

(* = Graphable)

 

 


Encyclopedia > First Point of Libra

The First Point of Libra, also called the autumnal equinox point, is one of the two points on the celestial sphere where the celestial equator intersects the ecliptic. It is defined as the position of the Sun on the celestial sphere at the time of the autumnal equinox. It was named after the constellation in which it occurred in ancient times - Libra. However due to precession, the point gradually moves around the ecliptic. It is currently in the constellation Virgo. The other such point, at the vernal equinox, is the First Point of Aries.


In the equatorial coordinate system the First Point of Libra is defined to have a right ascension of 12h. The declination is zero due to the position on the celestial equator.


  Results from FactBites:
 
Equinox - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (3419 words)
More technically, the equinox happens when the Sun is at one of two opposite points on the celestial sphere where the celestial equator and ecliptic intersect.
First point of Aries and first point of Libra.
The equinoxes are now the points where the equator intersects the ecliptic and the solstices the points on the ecliptic farthest away from the equator.
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Reform of the Calendar (907 words)
The points where ecliptic and equator intersect are called the equinoxes.
In the northern hemisphere the March equinox (or "first point of Aries") is called the vernal equinox; the September equinox ("first point of Libra"), the autumnal.
The first was attained by the omission from the calendar of the ten superfluous days, so as to bring things back to their proper position.
  More results at FactBites »


 
 

COMMENTARY     


Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here
Your name
Your comments

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 


Lesson Plans | Student Area | Student FAQ | Reviews | Press Releases |  Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms, 1022, m