Equatorial Coordinates
Equatorial coordinates are a system used in astronomy to specify the positions of celestial objects in the sky. This system is based on the celestial equator and the celestial poles, similar to how latitude and longitude work on Earth. The two main components of equatorial coordinates are right ascension (RA), which measures the angle eastward along the celestial equator, and declination (Dec), which measures the angle north or south of the celestial equator.
Right ascension is usually expressed in hours, minutes, and seconds, while declination is given in degrees. This coordinate system allows astronomers to locate stars, planets, and other celestial bodies accurately, making it essential for navigation and observation in the field of astronomy.