Meaning of vernal point | Babel Free

Definitions

The point on the ecliptic where the sun crosses from the southern celestial hemisphere to the northern, which occurs at the (northern) vernal equinox; less commonly, either this point or the opposite point of crossing from north to south.

Examples

“In principle, the function is symmetrical with respect⟳ to the vernal points, the axes λ_H = 0° and λ_H = 180°.”

“Hipparchus found that the ecliptic coordinates of fixed stars (i.e. the longitudes counted from the vernal point⟳ and the latitudes) behave in the same way as the ecliptic coordinates of the sun: the longitudes are always increasing, the latitudes remain⟳ constant.”

“By following the retrograde movement of the vernal point⟳ (the zodiacal location of the Sun on March⟳ 21) through the constellations/signs of the zodiac, it is possible to date⟳ the Age of Aquarius quite precisely. The present⟳ location of the vernal point⟳ is slightly more than 5 degrees in the sign⟳ of Pisces, which means that we are still in the Age of Pisces.”

“The Babylonian coordinate system, fixed in relation to individual stars rather than the vernal point⟳, was for this reason⟳ not ideal, although it was easy to understand⟳ — since the stars can be seen and the vernal point⟳ cannot.”

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