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Astro*Dictionary by Michael Erlewine

 

 

 

 

4 articles for "Ascension"

Ascension [DeVore]

The vertical rising of a planet above the Ecliptic, equator or horizon. Right Ascension, the circle of declination reckoned toward the east from 0° Aries, measured in the plane of the Equator. Oblique Ascension, measured on the Prime Vertical. The Midheaven is directed by Right Ascension; the Ascendant by Oblique Ascension.

See also:
♦ Oblique Ascension ♦ Right Ascension
Ascension, Signs of Long [DeVore]

Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius. (v. Signs.)

See also:
♦ Signs ♦ Oblique Ascension ♦ Right Ascension
Ascension, Signs of Long and Short [Astro*Index]

The plane of the ecliptic and the plane of the celestial equator are inclined to each other, as are the plane of the horizon and the plane of the celestial equator, but differently (except at the poles). In any event, the angle between the horizon and the ecliptic constantly changes during the course of a day. It takes longer for some signs to rise above the horizon at a specified geographical latitude (at the equator, all signs take the same amount of time to rise). Above a certain latitude, some signs do not rise at all. Signs that require longer are called the signs of long ascension, those that rise more quickly the signs of short ascension. In the northern hemisphere, Cancer through Sagittarius are signs of long ascension, Capricorn through Gemini the signs of short ascension. This condition is reversed in the Southern Hemisphere.

Why does the angle between the horizon and the ecliptic change? Why does a steeper angle between the horizon and the ecliptic causes the ascending sign to take longer to rise? Imagine a ball with a circle drawn around its middle. As long as the ball is rotated around the pole of this circle, the circle turns evenly. But if it is rotated around a different pole, it will wobble back and forth, thus continually changing the angle it makes with any other fixed circle When the plane of the ecliptic makes its steepest angle with the plane of the horizon, the sign on the horizon will take the longest to rise. A segment perpendicular to the plane of rotation must pass through its entire length to rise, whereas if it is at some angle to this, the amount of time to rise depends on the component in the plane of rotation, which is shorter the more the plane deviates.

See also:
♦ Ecliptic ♦ Celestial Equator
Ascension, Signs of Short [DeVore]

Capricorn to Gemini inclusive.

See also:
♦ Ecliptic ♦ Celestial Equator

 

Astro*Index Copyright © 1997 Michael Erlewine

 

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