Definition:Celestial

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Definition

In the context of astronomy, the word celestial is an adjective whose meaning is loosely of the sky.

It is used to define bodies and phenomena vaguely defined as being outside Earth's atmosphere, hence does not apply to meteorological phenomena.

It is often used as an antithesis for the word terrestrial, which means of Earth.


Also see


Linguistic Note

The adjective celestial, in the context of astronomy, is derived from the Latin caelestis, from caelum (meaning sky or heaven).

The term has religious connotations, dating from the time where the prevailing belief was that supernatural beings lived somewhere out there in the sky, taking an interest in what happens on Earth.