A celestial pole are two points in which the extended axis of the earth cuts the celestial sphere and about which the stars seem to revolve. A celestial sphere is an imaginary spherical shell formed by the sky represented as an infinite sphere. The observer’s position is the given center of the sphere.
In the aerospace context, the term "celestial" is used to refer to objects or phenomena that are located in space or are related to space exploration. It is often used in the study of astronomy, astrophysics, and space science.
Examples of celestial objects and phenomena include:
- Stars: A star is a celestial object that is typically composed of gas and plasma, held together by its own gravity. Stars are the building blocks of galaxies and play an essential role in the universe's evolution.
- Planets: A planet is a celestial body that orbits a star and is massive enough to be rounded by its gravity, but not massive enough to undergo nuclear fusion. Our solar system has eight planets, including Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
- Comets: A comet is a small, icy celestial body that orbits the Sun. When a comet comes close to the Sun, its icy surface begins to vaporize, creating a tail that points away from the Sun.
- Asteroids: An asteroid is a small, rocky or metallic celestial body that orbits the Sun. Some asteroids are large enough to be considered dwarf planets, such as Ceres, the largest object in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
- Meteors: A meteor is a small particle from a comet or asteroid that burns up upon entering the Earth's atmosphere. The bright streak of light that a meteor produces is called a "shooting star."
- Nebulae: A nebula is a cloud of gas and dust in space. Some nebulae are sites of star formation, while others are the remnants of supernova explosions.
Similar terms used in the aerospace context include:
- Interstellar: Refers to the space between stars.
- Extraterrestrial: Refers to anything that is not from Earth, including celestial bodies, phenomena, and potential life.
- Cosmic: Refers to the universe as a whole, including all celestial bodies and phenomena.
- Astronomical: Refers to anything related to the study of celestial objects and phenomena.
- Astrophysical: Refers to anything related to the study of the physical properties of celestial objects and phenomena.
In summary, the term "celestial" is used in the aerospace context to refer to objects or phenomena that are located in space or are related to space exploration. Examples include stars, planets, comets, asteroids, meteors, and nebulae. Similar terms include interstellar, extraterrestrial, cosmic, astronomical, and astrophysical.