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What declination values mark the north celestial pole, celestial equator, and south celestial pole?
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Astronomical map
Star trails over banksia trees, in Gippsland, Vic., Austl. The south celestial pole, located in the constellation Octans, is at the centre of the trails.
In the equatorial coordinate system used for astronomical maps, declination measures the angular distance of a celestial object north or south of the celestial equator. The specific values for these reference points are as follows:
- North celestial pole: +90° declination1
- Celestial equator: 0° declination1
- South celestial pole: -90° declination1
These coordinates are analogous to terrestrial latitude, with north declination considered positive and south declination considered negative.21