the great circle on the celestial sphere containing the galactic plane
galactic equator in American English
noun
Astronomy
the great circle on the celestial sphere that is equidistant from the galactic poles, being inclined approximately 62° to the celestial equator and lying about one degree north of the center line of the Milky Way
Also called: galactic circle
Word origin
[1885–90]This word is first recorded in the period 1885–90. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: retread, roller coaster, scrum, sensitization, toner