Khagola, the Celestial Coordinate System

( Above diagram by courtesy of www.wikipedia.org )

A 360 degree Circle is a coordinate System. And Khagola is the Celestial Coordinate System.

Like the Geographical Coordinate System, the Celestial Coordinate System is another coordinate system, which computes the coordinates of the Khagola, the Celestial Sphere.

The Ascending Sign is called the Ascendant ( Raseenam udayo lagnam ) and is the intersecting point of the Ecliptic ( at the East Point) with the Celestial Horizon. The Descending Sign is the Descendant ( Astha Lagna ) and lies 180 degrees West on the Khshithija, the Celestial Horizon.

Like the Geographical Meridien ( the Prime Meridien ) and the Geographic Equator, the Celestial Coordinate System has a Celestial Meridien ( Nadi Vritta ) and a Celestial Equator.

The Vernal Equinox and the Autumnal Equinox are two intersecting points of the Ecliptic with the Vishu vat Vritta, the Celestial Equator, known as Meshadi and Thuladi.

The Hindu Zero Point of the Ecliptic starts from 0 degrees Beta Arietis, Ashwinyadi, which is the beginning point of the Sidereal Zodiac. This is the Nirayana System, sidereal. The Tropical System, Sayana, also has its adherents in India and starts from Meshadi, 0 degree Aries.




The Galactic Center, the Vishnu Nabhi, lies in Sagittarius. NEP is the North Ecliptic Pole, NGP is the North Galactic Pole and NCP is the North Celestial Pole.