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Astral Atlas
Wiki concept · Astronomy & coordinates

Topocentric

Measured from a specified place on Earth, including the observer’s location-dependent shift in direction.

In this entry

Word origin · etymology

Greek combining forms.

Topo- comes from topos, place. The name means centered on a particular observing place, rather than Earth's center.

Merriam-Webster: topocentric ↗

How we know · epistemology

Observer convention

Adding a surface observer accounts for location-dependent parallax. Accuracy still depends on coordinates, elevation and correction choices; it does not imply that a related astrological interpretation is locally validated.

Skyfield: astronomical positions ↗

Connected concepts

Terms used in this explanation

These links connect subjects and terminology. They do not establish a shared historical origin.

Sources & provenance

Use the citations beside each section to distinguish a calculation convention, a historical teaching and an editorial example.

Find these sources across the wiki →

  1. Skyfield: astronomical positions ↗
  2. Merriam-Webster: topocentric ↗