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Webster 1913 Edition


Descension

De-scen′sion

,
Noun.
[OF.
descension
, L.
descensio
. See
Descent
.]
The act of going downward; descent; falling or sinking; declension; degradation.
Oblique descension
(Astron.)
,
the degree or arc of the equator which descends, with a celestial object, below the horizon of an oblique sphere.
–
Right descension
,
the degree or arc of the equator which descends below the horizon of a right sphere at the same time with the object.
[Obs.]

Webster 1828 Edition


Descension

DESCENSION

, n.
1.
The act of going downwards; descent; a falling or sinking; declension; degradation.
2.
In astronomy, right descension is an arch of the equinoctial, intercepted between the next equinoctial point and the intersection of the meridian, passing through the center of the object, at its setting, in a right sphere.
Oblique descension, is an arch of the equinoctial, intercepted between the next equinoctial point and the horizon, passing through the center of the object, at its setting, in an oblique sphere.
Oblique descension, is an arch of the equator which descends with the sun below the horizon of an oblique sphere.
Descension of a sign, is an arch of the equator, which sets with such a sign or part of the zodiac, or any planet in it.
Right descension of a sign, is an arch of the equator, which descends with the sign below the horizon of a right sphere; or the time the sign is setting in a right sphere.