Old instruments
Right Ascension Table
Direct answer
Right Ascension Table is a table listing right ascension, the eastward equatorial coordinate measured from the equinox.
Right Ascension Table is a celestial longitude table used in historical astronomy, timekeeping, or navigation.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Related
- Precession Table, Declination Table, Cross Staff, Backstaff
Right Ascension Table is a celestial longitude table used in historical astronomy, timekeeping, or navigation.
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The story behind Right Ascension Table
Right-ascension tables underpinned star catalogues, clock-star programs, telescope setting circles, and observatory timekeeping.
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Why Right Ascension Table matters
Right Ascension Table matters because right ascension connects star positions with sidereal time and meridian passage.
How to read Right Ascension Table
Read Right Ascension Table by checking whether the table uses hours or degrees and which equinox and coordinate epoch it adopts.
Right Ascension Table in practice: an example
A star with right ascension near the local sidereal time is close to the local meridian.
Where readings of Right Ascension Table go wrong
Hours of right ascension are angular measure, not elapsed civil hours.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- U.S. Naval Observatory: Astronomical and Navigational Almanacs - Official descriptions of the Astronomical Almanac, Nautical Almanac, and their tabular data.
- U.S. Naval Observatory: Astronomical Applications Data Services - Authoritative services for positions, rise and set data, phases, seasons, eclipses, and astronomical dates.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
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Common questions
What is Right Ascension Table?
Right Ascension Table is a table listing right ascension, the eastward equatorial coordinate measured from the equinox.
What do people get wrong about Right Ascension Table?
Hours of right ascension are angular measure, not elapsed civil hours.
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