plane Comparison Table

Astronomy View all facts Glossary Help

abstraction > mathematical concept > geometrical object > plane

Next geometrical object: point Up: geometrical object Previous geometrical object: line

plane comparison table

Subject has definition

ecliptic The mean plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun.

equator The great circle on the surface of a body formed by the intersection of the surface with the plane passing through the center of the body perpendicular to the axis of rotation. (See celestial equator.)

galactic plane The plane that contains the disk of the Milky Way. By definition, one direction perpendicular to this plane is called "above" or "north", and the opposite direction, also perpendicular to the Galactic plane, is called "below" or "south". From Earth, due Galactic north is marked by the north Galactic pole, which lies near the bright star Arcturus, and due Galactic south is marked by the south Galactic pole, which lies in the faint constellation Sculptor.

horizon A plane perpendicular to the line from an observer to the zenith. The great circle formed by the intersection of the celestial sphere with a plane perpendicular to the line from an observer to the zenith is called the astronomical horizon.

invariable plane The plane through the center of mass of the solar system perpendicular to the angular momentum vector of the solar system.

invariant plane The plane defined by the total angular momentum of the solar system. It is within about 1°.5 of the ecliptic.

Laplacian plane For a system of satellites, the fixed plane relative to which the vector sum of the disturbing forces has no orthogonal component.

Supergalactic Plane An apparent plane of symmetry, passing through the Virgo cluster of galaxies, about which many of the brightest galaxies in the sky are concentrated. These galaxies form the Local Supercluster.

Subject	has definition
ecliptic	The mean plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun.
equator	The great circle on the surface of a body formed by the intersection of the surface with the plane passing through the center of the body perpendicular to the axis of rotation. (See celestial equator.)
galactic plane	The plane that contains the disk of the Milky Way. By definition, one direction perpendicular to this plane is called "above" or "north", and the opposite direction, also perpendicular to the Galactic plane, is called "below" or "south". From Earth, due Galactic north is marked by the north Galactic pole, which lies near the bright star Arcturus, and due Galactic south is marked by the south Galactic pole, which lies in the faint constellation Sculptor.
horizon	A plane perpendicular to the line from an observer to the zenith. The great circle formed by the intersection of the celestial sphere with a plane perpendicular to the line from an observer to the zenith is called the astronomical horizon.
invariable plane	The plane through the center of mass of the solar system perpendicular to the angular momentum vector of the solar system.
invariant plane	The plane defined by the total angular momentum of the solar system. It is within about 1°.5 of the ecliptic.
Laplacian plane	For a system of satellites, the fixed plane relative to which the vector sum of the disturbing forces has no orthogonal component.
Supergalactic Plane	An apparent plane of symmetry, passing through the Virgo cluster of galaxies, about which many of the brightest galaxies in the sky are concentrated. These galaxies form the Local Supercluster.

Next geometrical object: point Up: geometrical object Previous geometrical object: line