Sky science
Longitude of Ascending Node
Direct answer
Longitude of Ascending Node is the angle in a reference plane from its origin to the orbit’s upward crossing node.
It rotates an inclined orbit’s node line around the reference plane.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Related
- Orbital Eccentricity, Orbital Inclination, Argument of Periapsis, True Anomaly
It rotates an inclined orbit’s node line around the reference plane.
A scientific orientation to scale, light, or motion; the article supplies the precise definition.
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The story behind Longitude of Ascending Node
Classical orbit theory used nodes to connect inclined orbital and reference planes.
A one-minute story
The Wandering Stars
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Why Longitude of Ascending Node matters
Longitude of Ascending Node fixes where orbital inclination is oriented in space.
Longitude of Ascending Node in practice: an example
Two orbits can share inclination but have different node longitudes.
Where readings of Longitude of Ascending Node go wrong
Longitude of Ascending Node does not locate the body along its orbit.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- U.S. Naval Observatory: Astronomical Almanac Glossary - Definitions for astronomical coordinates, time, reference systems, and observable phenomena.
- NASA Science: Orbits and Kepler’s Laws - NASA explanation of orbital ellipses, orbital periods, and Kepler’s laws of planetary motion.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Place the ascending node
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More in Astronomy & Skywatching
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Common questions
What is Longitude of Ascending Node?
Longitude of Ascending Node is the angle in a reference plane from its origin to the orbit’s upward crossing node.
What do people get wrong about Longitude of Ascending Node?
Longitude of Ascending Node does not locate the body along its orbit.
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