The Night Sky, Explainedby Dmitry Shteynbuk
Night SkySolar SystemStarsDeep SkyTelescopesBlogGlossaryMiamiAbout
Home/Glossary/Celestial sphere
Naked-eye astronomyDefinedTerm

Celestial sphere

An imaginary sphere surrounding Earth on which stars appear fixed.

The coordinate system astronomers use to describe the positions of objects in the sky.

Used in these guides

  • The Celestial Sphere: How the Sky Is OrganizedNaked-eye astronomy
← Previous
Celestial equator
Next →
Cepheid variable
About
  • About
  • Miami
  • Author
  • FAQ
Learn
  • Night Sky Basics
  • Solar System
  • Stars
  • Galaxies & Deep Sky
Observe
  • Telescopes & Gear
  • Astrophotography
  • Miami & South Florida Skywatching
Read
  • Blog
  • History of Astronomy
  • Glossary
  • RSS
The Night Sky, Explained — by Dmitry Shteynbuk, Miami, Florida

© 2026 Dmitry Shteynbuk

This is an astronomy site, not an astrology site. If you're looking for horoscopes or zodiac readings, see the explainer on the difference.