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
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.
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 Declination and right ascension are the two primary axes of the celestial sphere. Reece Rogers, WIRED, 21 Dec. 2022 More broadly, Indigenous science is often encoded into oral traditions or stories that serve as memory devices — meaning that important knowledge is commonly tied to the celestial sphere. Nikita Amir, Discover Magazine, 27 Oct. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of celestial sphere was in 1538

Dictionary Entries Near celestial sphere

Cite this Entry

“Celestial sphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celestial%20sphere. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

celestial sphere

noun
: an imaginary sphere of infinite radius against which the celestial bodies appear to be projected

More from Merriam-Webster on celestial sphere

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!