Advertisement

Advertisement

polar distance

noun

, Astronomy.


polar distance

noun

  1. the angular distance of a star, planet, etc, from the celestial pole; the complement of the declination Also calledcodeclination


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of polar distance1

First recorded in 1810–20

Discover More

Example Sentences

It is, in fact, the north polar distance of the star, or the complement of its declination.

The latitude is found by further increasing or diminishing this altitude by the polar distance of the star.

Instead of it is frequently used the complementary angle ZOP, known as the polar distance of the body.

Since ZOQ is a right angle, it follows that the sum of the polar distance and the latitudinal co-ordinates is always 90.

The angle through the celestial pole, between these two positions, is double the polar distance.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


polar coordinate systempolar equation