For Declination we have terms and definitions in 10 topics. The topics are Astrology, Astronomy, Cartographic, Hunting, Physical Geography, Planetary Science, Real Time 3D, Science, Speleological and Telescope.

Declination (Astrology)

Distance of a planet north or south of the celestial equator. Every part of the ecliptic has declination except the beginnings of Aries and Libra (0°00'), because the plane of the ecliptic is not parallel with that of the celestial equator, which meet at those two points. The Sun has maximum declination of 23°28', when it reaches the tropics of Cancer in the north (23°N28') and Capricorn in the south (23°S28'). Declination is due to the inclination of the earth in orbit. See Parallel.

Declination (Astronomy)

A coordinate used on the celestial sphere just as latitude is used on Earth. An object's declination is measured in degrees from the celestial equator; positive degrees if north of the equator, and negative if south of the equator. Also see right ascension.

Declination (Cartographic)

In astronomy, the angular distance of a celestial body above (north, plus) or below (south, minus) the celestial Equator. Magnetic declination is the angular difference between magnetic north and true (geographic) north at the point of observation; it is not constant but varies with time because of the "wandering" of the magnetic north pole.

Declination (Hunting)

Angular distance north or south of the celestial equator, taken as positive when north of the equator and negative when south. The Sun passes through its declinational cycle once a year, reaching its maximum north declination of approximately 23-½° about June 21 and its maximum south declination of approximately 23-½° about December 21. The Moon has an average declinational cycle of 27-1/3° days which is called a tropical month. Tides or tidal currents occurring near the times of maximum north or south declination of the Moon are called tropic tides or tropic currents, and those occurring when the Moon is over the Equator are called equatorial tides or equatorial currents. The maximum declination reached by the Moon in successive months depends upon the longitude of the Moon's node, and varies from 28-½° when the longitude of the ascending node is 0°, to 18-½° when the longitude of the node is 180°. The node cycle, or time required for the node to complete a circuit of 360° of longitude, is approximately 18.6 years.

Declination (Physical Geography)

Location (latitude) on the Earth where the location of the sun on a particular day is directly overhead at solar noon. This location is somewhere between 23.5° North and 23.5° South depending on the time of the year.

Declination (Planetary Science)

Celestial coordinate which is equivalent to the latitude of an object on Earth. This is an angular measure of how far above the celestial equator an object lies.

Declination (Real Time 3D)

One of the two rotational axes used by the astronomers, and also by RT3D programmers. Declination is similar to pitch-- if you nod your head "yes," you are rotating in declination. Most engines count from +90 to -90 degrees, starting out pointed straight up, turning downwards and ending pointed straight down. Straight forward is 0 degrees. Sometimes mathematicians measure it in radians, a unit of measure that comes from the magical number Pi. A radian equals Pi/180, but most people use degrees instead of radians. Astronomers use only two axes (the other axis is azimuth), because they do not use roll. This is similar to the way most FPS games work. It is preferred in some RT3D engines because it keeps the viewer level no matter where it points. But this system has a drawback because it suffers from gimbal lock whenever the viewer points either straight up or straight down.

Declination (Science)

The angle between true or geographic north and magnetic north.

Declination (Speleological)

The angle from true (or grid) north to magnetic north, at a given time and place.
Survey & Mapping term.

Declination (Telescope)

One of two coordinates for the celestial sphere, which are analogous to latitude and longitude for the Earth's surface. The declination of an object is how many degrees it is north or south of the celestial equator. The other coordinate is called right ascension, and it is measured eastward from a somewhat arbitrary "prime meridian" on the sky.
The "prime meridian" passes through the position of the Sun at the time of the vernal equinox. Thus its position changes slowly over the years, due to the precession of the equinoxes. The position of the celestial poles also changes with precession. Thus, to locate an object from its right ascension and declination, you must also know the date for which those coordinates are valid; that date is called the epoch of the coordinates.

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