Abstract
In observational astronomy, we are dealing with the celestial sphere, which is non-Euclidean. Hence, astronomers use the non-Cartesian Alt-Az and equatorial coordinate systems to point telescopes and identify objects. The non-Euclidean nature of our observations means that we have to use spherical geometry when measuring the position of objects in the sky.
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As well as others that are beyond the scope of this book.
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Technically, stars that are never visible are also circumpolar, but this term is hardly ever used in this context.
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Gallaway, M. (2020). Spheres and Coordinates. In: An Introduction to Observational Astrophysics. Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43551-6_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43551-6_5
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