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
Spring equinox in the northern hemisphere will begin on March 20 as the sun crosses the celestial equator, in which geomagnetic storms are more likely due to the way solar wind interacts with Earth’s magnetosphere.
—
ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
The projection of Earth’s equator delineates the celestial equator, and the poles project onto the north and south celestial poles.
—Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
When Is Northern Lights Season? On Friday, March 20, the sun will cross the celestial equator, marking the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere — the beginning of spring.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 24 Feb. 2026
This rare timing means the eclipse occurs on the doorstep of the September equinox, when the sun crosses the celestial equator, marking the start of spring in the Southern Hemisphere and fall in the north.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 21 Sep. 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.
ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
The projection of Earth’s equator delineates the celestial equator, and the poles project onto the north and south celestial poles.
—Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
When Is Northern Lights Season? On Friday, March 20, the sun will cross the celestial equator, marking the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere — the beginning of spring.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 24 Feb. 2026
This rare timing means the eclipse occurs on the doorstep of the September equinox, when the sun crosses the celestial equator, marking the start of spring in the Southern Hemisphere and fall in the north.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for celestial equator
Cite this Entry
“Celestial equator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celestial%20equator. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
