Longitude
in astronomy, the distance in degrees reckoned along the ecliptic from the spring equinox to a circle at right angles to it passing through the heavenly body whose longitude is required. A star situated directly in the line between the pole of the ecliptic and the vernal equinox has no longitude. In place of celestial longitudes right ascensions are now generally noted. In geography, distance east or west on the surface of the globe. The longitude of a place is the arc of the equator intercepted between the meridian of the place and a meridian passing through some other place from which longitude is reckoned.