The angular distance of a celestial object north or south of the
celestial equator, measured in degrees. One of the two coordinates
(right ascension is the other) that let you find celestial objects with
the aid of a star chart and telescope setting circles. Called
declination because stellar positions in degrees "decline" or decrease
in numerical value from 90 degrees at the north and south celestial
poles (around which everything in the sky appears to rotate) down to
zero degrees at the plane of the celestial equator. Declination is in
positive degrees if the object is between the celestial equator and the
north celestial pole, and in negative degrees if it is between the
celestial equator and the south celestial pole.