Winter Meridian

Winter Meridian is a part of the solstice meridiator on the celestial sphere. This meridian is located on the center of the western hemisphere. It has celestial longitude 270° (−90°) (18h). On the celestial map, Winter Meridian is located in central left side as an imaginary vertical line going down the map from north pole then equator as a central Winter Meridian in Ophiuchus then south pole.

There are alternative names: Eve Meridian, December Meridian, Ophiuchus Meridian, First point of Capricorn Meridian, and Sagittarius Meridian.

This is the meridian where we find winter solstice when it intersects the ecliptic. The sun passes through this meridian on December 21 or 22 on the southern ecliptic peak. After passing this meridian, the sun will start to move northward along the ecliptic towards the equator and the next destination is Spring Meridian.

When this meridian passes through the equator, it is called eve virgin.

The north ecliptic pole is located on this meridian at celestial latitude +66.55° in the constellation Draco.

These constellations are invisible because the sun passes throughwestern hemisphere from autumn to spring. These constellations are best visible during the nadir on June 21 or 22. There are the following list from north pole to south pole.

* Ursa Minor
* Draco
* Hercules
* Ophiuchus
* Serpens Cauda
* Sagittarius
* Corona Australis
* Ara
* Pavo
* Apus
* Octans