Polar distance (astronomy)

In the celestial equatorial coordinate system Σ(α, δ) in astronomy, polar distance (PD) is an angular distance of a celestial object on its meridian measured from the celestial pole, similar to the way declination (dec, δ) is measured from the celestial equator.

Definition

Polar distance (PD) = 90° ± δ

Polar distances are expressed in degrees and cannot exceed 90° in magnitude. An object on the celestial equator has a PD of 90°.

Polar distance is not affected by the precession of the equinoxes.

If the polar distance of the Sun is equal to the observer's latitude, the shadow path of a gnomon's tip on a sundial will be a parabola; at higher latitudes it will be an ellipse and lower, a hyperbola.