Positional Astronomy:
Galactic coordinates

The equatorial system of coordinates (Right Ascension and declination) is the one most often used.
But the galactic system is sometimes more useful,
e.g. for seeing how objects are distributed with respect to the galactic plane.

diagram

In this system, the fundamental great circle is the galactic equator,
which is the intersection of the galactic plane with celestial sphere,
with corresponding galactic poles.
We define the North Galactic Pole as that pole in same hemisphere as the North Celestial Pole.
The positions of the poles were determined
by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1959.

To fix the galactic coordinates of object X,
draw a great circle between the two galactic poles, passing through X.

The galactic latitude (b) of object X is the angular distance on this circle from galactic equator to X,
from - 90° at South Galactic Pole to +90° at North Galactic Pole.

The zero-point for longitude is the centre of galaxy;
again, the position was fixed by the IAU.
The galactic longitude (l) of object X is the angular distance
around the galactic equator from the centre of the galaxy to the great circle through X,
measured eastwards 0-360°.

Although later research may come up with better values
for the positions of the galactic poles and the centre of the galaxy,
the IAU values will still be used to determine this coordinate system.

To convert between galactic and equatorial coordinates,
draw the spherical triangle with points at P (North Celestial Pole), G (North Galactic Pole) and X,
and apply the sine and cosine rules.



Exercise:

The North Galactic Pole is at Right Ascension 12h49m, declination +27°24'.
What is the tilt of the galactic plane to the celestial equator?



Click here for the answer.



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