celestial sphere
noun
: an imaginary sphere of infinite radius against which the celestial bodies appear to be projected and of which the apparent dome of the visible sky forms half
Examples of celestial sphere in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Simpson meets the daunting beauty of the celestial sphere with a painterly language of stellar silvers and penumbral grays.
—
Zoë Hopkins, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Since this cluster lies 4 degrees north of the ecliptic — that great circle on the celestial sphere representing the sun's apparent path during the year — it can be occulted only when the ascending node of the moon's orbit is in the Pisces-to-Sagittarius part of the ecliptic.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2025
In the 16th century, the term began to be associated with collections of maps after Gerardus Mercator, a Flemish cartographer, published a book of maps in 1595 with an image of Atlas holding the celestial sphere on the cover.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
The 2024 total eclipse is caused by a rare alignment in celestial spheres that will send millions of people in the path of totality outside to peer at the sky.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Dung beetles, Harbor seals and even the Albatross are also all cognizant of the celestial sphere in ways that still amaze and perplex.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
But from a terrestrial perspective, the celestial sphere appears essentially unchanging.
—Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 29 Aug. 2023
This pairing hums with a soft energy, attuned perhaps to the same celestial spheres that Gouverneur hoped to crack open.
—Kriston Capps, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023
Certainly, this exploration of vocal extremes is an apt metaphor for the celestial sphere.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Zoë Hopkins, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Since this cluster lies 4 degrees north of the ecliptic — that great circle on the celestial sphere representing the sun's apparent path during the year — it can be occulted only when the ascending node of the moon's orbit is in the Pisces-to-Sagittarius part of the ecliptic.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2025
In the 16th century, the term began to be associated with collections of maps after Gerardus Mercator, a Flemish cartographer, published a book of maps in 1595 with an image of Atlas holding the celestial sphere on the cover.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
The 2024 total eclipse is caused by a rare alignment in celestial spheres that will send millions of people in the path of totality outside to peer at the sky.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Dung beetles, Harbor seals and even the Albatross are also all cognizant of the celestial sphere in ways that still amaze and perplex.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
But from a terrestrial perspective, the celestial sphere appears essentially unchanging.
—Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 29 Aug. 2023
This pairing hums with a soft energy, attuned perhaps to the same celestial spheres that Gouverneur hoped to crack open.
—Kriston Capps, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023
Certainly, this exploration of vocal extremes is an apt metaphor for the celestial sphere.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Celestial sphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celestial%20sphere. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share