3 ms·

Every object in the sky has precise absolute coordinates. As far as I know, there is not a comprehensive database of all sky objects but several databases from

Every object in the sky has precise absolute coordinates. As far as I know, there is not a comprehensive database of all sky objects but several databases from different sky surveys that map only a part of the sky. To check if the object is new, you just look up the coordinates in a program that aggregates all the different databases, like Simbad (https://simbad.cds.unistra.fr https://simbad.cds.unistra.fr)

sb8244 4y ago
Does the current location of the earth affect that coordinate system at all, or i is negligible due to distances?
- jfengel 4y ago
  They use a Galactic Coordinate System, which is actually centered on the Sun, in the plane of the galaxy. (The sun does revolve around the galaxy, but with a period of millions of years it doesn't make a measurable difference.) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactic_coordinate_system https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactic_coordinate_system It can easily be transformed into telescope pointing directions with the input of location on the planet, time of year and time of day.
  - euroderf 4y ago
    IIRC the Earth has made 2.5 orbits about the galactic center since its [the Earth's] formation.
  - dwaltrip 4y ago
    The period is ~250 million years. Quite the journey! :)
- BurningFrog 4y ago
  Up to ~300 light years away this effect can be used to estimate the distance to a star. For other galaxies the effect is very much indistinguishable from 0. https://lco.global/spacebook/distance/parallax-and-distance-measurement https://lco.global/spacebook/distance/parallax-and-distance-...