The Almicanthars are Circles Parallel to the Horizon, whose Poles are the Zenith and Nadir. They are also called Cir∣cles of Altitude, because when the Sun Moon or any Star, is in a∣ny number of degrees above the Horizon, it is said to have so many degrees of Altitude, which degrees of Altitude are num∣bred upon the Verticle Circle from the Horizon upwards, to∣wards the Zenith. The Almicanthars are also infinite: as Pa∣rallels, Meridians and Azimuths are.
The Amplitude is the number of degrees contained between the true East or West point in the Horizon, and the rising or set∣ting of the Sun, Moon, or Stars. &c.
The Declination is the number of degrees that the Sun, Moon, or any Star, is distant from the Equinoctial, towards either Pole: and hath a double Denomination, viz. North Declination, and South Declination: for if the Sun Moon or Star swarve towards the North Pole, they are said to have North Declination; if to∣wards the South Pole, South Declination.
The Right Ascension is the number of degrees of the Equi∣noctial (accounted from the first point of Aries) which comes to the Meridian with the Sun Moon or Star, or any other point in Heaven proposed.
The Oblique Ascension is the number of degrees of the Equi∣noctial which comes to the East side of the Horizon with the Sun Moon or any Star.
The Oblique Descension is the degrees of the Equinoctial which comes to the West side of the Horizon with the Sun Moon or any Star.
The Ascensional Difference is the number of degrees after subtraction of the Oblique Ascension from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••scen∣sion, 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉.
So many degrees as you are said to sail towards the Pole, you are said to Raise the Pole; and so many degrees as you sail from the Pole, you are said to Depress the Pole.
Course, is the point of the Compass you sail upon; as if you sail East-wards, it is an Easterly Course, if West, a Westerly Course &c.
Distance is the number of leagues you have sailed from any Place, upon any Course.
A Zone is a space of Earth contained between two Parrallels. The ancient Geographers made five Zones in the Earth. Two Frozen, Two Temperate, and one Burnt Zone.