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
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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 Due to the sun crossing the celestial equator, there are an equal number of day and evening hours. Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 19 Sep. 2025 The tropical zodiac begins at zero degrees of Aries — beginning at the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere — which is the exact moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator, moving from South to North. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025 That’s when day and night are roughly equal in length, and the sun crosses the celestial equator heading south. Vanessa Countryman, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for celestial equator

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of celestial equator was in 1848

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Cite this Entry

“Celestial equator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celestial%20equator. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

celestial equator

noun
: the great circle on the celestial sphere midway between the celestial poles

More from Merriam-Webster on celestial equator

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