celestial sphere

noun

: an imaginary sphere of infinite radius against which the celestial bodies appear to be projected and of which the apparent dome of the visible sky forms half

Examples of celestial sphere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But from a terrestrial perspective, the celestial sphere appears essentially unchanging. —Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 29 Aug. 2023

This pairing hums with a soft energy, attuned perhaps to the same celestial spheres that Gouverneur hoped to crack open. —Kriston Capps, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023

Certainly, this exploration of vocal extremes is an apt metaphor for the celestial sphere. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2023

Declination and right ascension are the two primary axes of the celestial sphere. —Reece Rogers, WIRED, 21 Dec. 2022

More broadly, Indigenous science is often encoded into oral traditions or stories that serve as memory devices — meaning that important knowledge is commonly tied to the celestial sphere. —Nikita Amir, Discover Magazine, 27 Oct. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

celestial sphere

noun

: an imaginary sphere of infinite radius against which the celestial bodies appear to be projected