An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The point on the celestial sphere toward which the Sun is apparently moving relative to the → local standard of rest. Its position, in the constellation → Hercules, is approximately R.A. 18h, Dec. +30°, close to the star → Vega. The velocity of this motion is estimated to be about 19.4 km/sec (about 4. AU/year). As a result of this motion, stars seem to be converging toward a point in the opposite direction, the → solar antapex.

See also: → solar; → apex.