Cosmos


COSMOS - The SAO Encyclopedia of Astronomy › C

Celestial Poles

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The celestial poles are the two points where the projection of the Earth’s rotation axis intersects with the celestial sphere.

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Star trails around the south celestial pole and the dome of the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT).
Credit: © Anglo-Australian Observatory

Due to the daily rotation of the Earth on its axis, the celestial sphere appears to rotate daily east to west and stars seem to follow circular trails around the celestial poles.


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