Many amateur astronomers have difficulty understanding the equatorial coordinate system at first. But once you get the hang of it, using it becomes as easy as using latitude and longitude to locate places on Earth. Astronomers use the terms right ascension (R.A.) and declination (Dec.) to refer to an astronomical object’s coordinates on the celestial sphere. Right ascension is comparable to longitude.
Is there a simple way to explain the equatorial coordinate system so an amateur can understand it?
Charles Miller, Kearney, Missouri
