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Questions tagged [right-ascension]

Questions regarding the second ordinate of the equatorial celestial system.

0 votes
1 answer
2k views

Correct units to use while plotting mollweide projection of sky chart with RA and Dec values, matplotlib

I am trying to plot a mollweide projection of a sky chart in Python using the matplotlib package. I am using the RA and Dec values from a database containing all stars in Hipparcos, Yale Bright Star, ...
user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
2k views

Right ascension and sidereal time difference

I've read quite a few articles about this and watched visualisations but I still struggle to get a mental map of how this works I understand that on March 21/22 RA 0 is on my meridian at local noon. ...
Michael Harper's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
333 views

Is the vernal equinox always in zenith somewhere on the equator?

I'm trying to visualize the satellit orbital parameter "right ascension of the ascending node" (RAAN). Measuring the angle from the vernal equinox to the point where the satellite's orbit crosses ...
OZ1SEJ's user avatar
  • 123
3 votes
1 answer
1k views

What is meant by *topocentric* right ascension and declination?

I'm looking up how to convert an azimuth/elevation measurement from a specific location on Earth's surface to right ascension/declination. I'm coming across the terms "topocentric declination" and "...
NeutronStar's user avatar
  • 2,673
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

RA and Dec of the Sun at J2000

I'm in the somewhat awkward position of asking something that, despite me thinking there should be hundreds and hundreds of web pages and datasets showing this particular value, I've been unable to ...
Izhido's user avatar
  • 103
0 votes
3 answers
2k views

Right Ascension to Zodiac House

At the moment (01-04-2020 09:36) the Moon is situated in Gemini: "The Moon is currently in the constellation of Gemini. The current Right Ascension is 06h 37m 56s and the Declination is +23° 42' 09”."...
Matt Jameson's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
113 views

Deducing the hour based on RA

I'm making a technological project. The goal is to write a program that gets an image of the nightsky and predicts the hour in which the photo was taken. I implemented a well-known method using the ...
omri slovatik's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
112 views

What is the opposite of the vernal point?

The equator and the ecliptic cross at two nodes. One of those nodes is the vernal point. What is the other one called?
usernumber's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
2k views

how to plot sky map like www.nakedeyeplanet.com with dates tags with planetary motion path

I am curious how to plot planetary motion star chart with date tags like on www.nakedeyeplanets.com by Martin J. Powell. Is there any way to generate images similar like that. What software should ...
M10 Radalpha's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Help with Converting Right Ascension and Declination into 3D Vectors

Using the Right Ascension and Declination values from the HYG Database from The Astronomy Nexus: Right ascension is measured in hours and declination is measured in degrees. 1 - Convert right ...
SidS's user avatar
  • 225
2 votes
1 answer
142 views

How can I check if we can observe a certain star (given its equatorial coordinates) from a certain location on Earth (given its DMS coordinates)?

I am given the equatorial coordinates of a star (e.g. Sirius has RA: 6h45m8.9s and Dec = -16°42'52.1"). Now my question is: can we observe this star from a specific location on Earth (e.g. from ...
Q.Ask's user avatar
  • 23
1 vote
0 answers
949 views

Date and Time of Year given Sun's Right Ascension

Can anyone tell me how to calculate date of year given a specific sun's Right ascension (RA)? I know RA at Vernox (21 March 00hh:00mm:00ss)is 0 degrees. How can I get date and time for a given RA, ...
jaoc's user avatar
  • 11
4 votes
2 answers
2k views

Right Ascension for epoch 2000 - physical location?

I understand that Right Ascension is a longitude-like celestial coordinate that varies from 0-24hrs, taken from a reference point of the vernal equinox. More specifically, for star maps that are based ...
WillK's user avatar
  • 41
1 vote
0 answers
98 views

What exactly is a Right Ascension clock and how was one (mounted on a telescope) used in practice, historically?

@MikeG's answer to Why does this Lowell Observatory telescope have so many knobs? What do they all do? explains that item #6 labeled in the image there (and cropped version here) is likely to be a "...
uhoh's user avatar
  • 30.7k
2 votes
3 answers
2k views

How to calculate solar coordinates. (Right Ascension, Declination, and ultimately the Altitude and Azimuth of the Sun)

As the title says I am trying to calculate solar coordinates of the sun for a given location and time. I have spent many 10's of hours on this without success so I will sincerely appreciate help on ...
noCodeMonkeys's user avatar

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