celestial equator
noun
: the great circle on the celestial sphere midway between the celestial poles
Examples of celestial equator in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This happens during a two-year period when the moon's orbit is the most tilted compared to Earth's celestial equator, essentially Earth's equator projected into space.
—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 12 June 2025
In the summer, full moons appear lower in the sky due to the moon’s orbit being below the celestial equator.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 3 June 2025
But that situation will change noticeably thereafter, as Venus will spend the summer taking a more northerly path across the zodiacal constellations that are positioned well north of the celestial equator.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Northern Lights And Equinox Explained Earth’s northward equinox — when the sun crosses the celestial equator — will occur at 09:00 UTC (4:00 a.m. EDT) on March 20.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for celestial equator
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Celestial equator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celestial%20equator. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share