Dictionary of Space Concepts

Definitions

Short Definition
Almucantar (also known as almucantarat, almacantara) is a circle of the celestial sphere parallel to the horizon. Stars belonging to the same almucantar have the same altitude.

Detailed Definition
Almucantar is commonly defined by the arc on the celestial sphere, characterized by the zenith angle, which represents half of its angular magnitude. The almucantar plane refers to a plane within the celestial sphere that is formed by the almucantar. A solar almucantar specifically denotes an almucantar plane used for measuring the irradiance of the Sun.

Etymology
From French almucantarat, from Arabic almuqanṭarāt"circles of celestial latitude" , from qanṭara"arch"

Sample Sentence(s)

The Sun and the Moon seized their almucantar and remained there for a moment, dividing the world into day and night.

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French
l'almicantarat

German
der Almukantarat

Italian
l’almucantarat

Polish
almukantar, almukantarat

Swedish
almicantarat

Additional Translations of Terms/Concepts into Other Languages

альмукантарат

альмукантарат

Links to Videos/Articles:

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998a, July 20). Almucantar | astronomy. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved [ 06.14.2023 ], from https://www.britannica.com/science/almucantar