Declination
![Right ascension and declination as seen on the inside of the celestial sphere. The primary direction of the system is the vernal equinox, the ascending node of the ecliptic (red) on the celestial equator (blue). Declination is measured northward or southward from the celestial equator, along the hour circle passing through the point in question.](/Images/godic/202501/08/Ra_and_dec_demo_animation_small3051.gif")
![Right ascension (blue) and declination (green) as seen from outside the celestial sphere.](/Images/godic/202501/08/Ra_and_dec_on_celestial_sphere3051.png")
![The night sky, divided into two halves. Declination (green) begins at the equator (green) and is positive northward (towards the top), negative southward (towards the bottom). The lines of declination (green) divide the sky into small circles, here 15° apart.](/Images/godic/202501/08/Stars_and_dec3051.png")
In astronomy, declination (abbreviated dec; symbol δ) is one of the two angles that locate a point on the celestial sphere in the equatorial coordinate system, the other being hour angle. Declination's angle is measured north or south of the celestial equator, along the hour circle passing through the point in question.