equinoctial point
- noun
- /ˌɛkwɪˈnɒkʃəl pɔɪnt/
- Specialized
:
punto equinoccial
- The intersection of the celestial equator and the ecliptic at each equinoctial point is key to mapping the heavens.
Examples
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The vernal equinoctial point marks the position of the sun at the start of spring.
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Astronomers track the slow shift of each equinoctial point due to the precession of the equinoxes.
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The equinoctial point marks the start of spring.
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During the equinox, the sun is at the equinoctial point.
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Astronomers track the slow shift of each equinoctial point due to the precession of the equinoxes.
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The intersection of the celestial equator and the ecliptic at each equinoctial point is key to mapping the heavens.
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The vernal equinoctial point marks the position of the sun at the start of spring.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines the adjective 'equinoctial' (occurring at the equinoxes) with 'point' (a specific position), so its basic meaning — a specific position/time associated with the equinoxes — is directly derivable from the constituents. While the full astronomical technicalities (celestial sphere, ecliptic) are specialized, the compositional logic is transparent and would allow a learner who knows both words to infer the general sense.
Etymology
Equinoctial point is the name for the two places in the sky where the sun's path crosses the sky's equator at the spring and autumn 'equinoxes'. The word equinoctial connects to 'equinox', when day and night are equal, so these points mark the sun's position at the start of spring and autumn and help astronomers find places in the sky.
