planisphere
Rotating constellation map
A planisphere is a circular star chart with a rotating overlay that shows which constellations are visible at any given time and date.
You align the current date with the hour, and the window reveals the night sky for your location: She turned the planisphere to midnight and identified Orion.
The device flattens the celestial sphere onto a plane—hence the name.
Something that extends outward
- stereographicAngle-preserving projection type
- equatorialOf Earth's central line
- mapSpatial representation of terrain
- coordinate gridAxes for locating points
scale · star chart · sky map · hemisphere · ecliptic · celestial equator
Intermittent motion mechanism
- time scaleDuration measurement system
- oval windowMiddle ear opening
- declinationAngular distance from equator
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
azimuth · hour angle · meridian · epoch · precession · glow-in-the-dark · laminated · adjustable
Geographic or personal freedom
- longitudeEast-west angular distance
- celestial navigationLocation-finding via astronomical observation
- wayfindingNavigating through physical spaces
- bearingPosture or orientation
horizon · cardinal directions · North Star · mariner · voyaging · dead reckoning · sextant · astrolabe
Recognized celestial groupings
- night skyDarkness above after sunset
- meteorGlowing atmospheric space rock
- cometIcy orbiting body
- eclipseCelestial body blocks another
zenith · nadir · Polaris · Orion · Big Dipper · Ursa Major · Cassiopeia · Pleiades
Resource for acquiring knowledge
- curriculumEducational program's content plan
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- hands-onInvolving direct physical engagement
- interactiveAllowing mutual exchange
beginner · science fair · STEM · homeschool · planetarium · outreach · instructional · visual aid
projection
Something that extends outward
- stereographicAngle-preserving projection type
- equatorialOf Earth's central line
- mapSpatial representation of terrain
coordinate grid · scale · star chart · sky map · hemisphere · ecliptic · celestial equator
star wheel
Intermittent motion mechanism
- time scaleDuration measurement system
- oval windowMiddle ear opening
- declinationAngular distance from equator
altitude · azimuth · hour angle · meridian · epoch · precession · glow-in-the-dark · laminated · adjustable · handheld
latitude
Geographic or personal freedom
- longitudeEast-west angular distance
- celestial navigationLocation-finding via astronomical observation
- wayfindingNavigating through physical spaces
bearing · horizon · cardinal directions · North Star · mariner · voyaging · dead reckoning · sextant · astrolabe · compass
constellations
Recognized celestial groupings
eclipse · zenith · nadir · Polaris · Orion · Big Dipper · Ursa Major · Cassiopeia · Pleiades · Sirius
learning tool
Resource for acquiring knowledge
- curriculumEducational program's content plan
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- hands-onInvolving direct physical engagement
interactive · beginner · science fair · STEM · homeschool · planetarium · outreach · instructional · visual aid
- astronomy termseclipse, solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, star, meteor shower
- stargazingtelescope, stargazing guides, night sky, stars, constellation
- maps and globesglobe, world map, celestial globe, terrestrial globe, star map
- antique instrumentsastrolabe, sextant, octant, quadrant, theodolite
- astronomy booksstar catalog, star chart, star charts, sky map, celestial map
- astronomy toolstelescope, binoculars, star chart, star map, planetarium
planispheretelescope
Instrument magnifying faraway objects
binoculars · refractor · eyepiece · observatory · optical instrument