POINT, in Astronomy, a term applied to certain points or places marked in the heavens, and which are distinguished by proper epithets.
The four grand points or divisions of the horizon, namely, the east, west, north, and south, are denominated the cardinal points.
The zenith and nadir are the vertical points; the points in which the orbits of the planets cut the plane of the ecliptic are called the nodes; the points in which the equator and ecliptic intersect are called the equinoctial points; that whence the sun ascends towards the north pole being called the vernal point; and that by which he descends to the south pole the autumnal point. The points of the ecliptic, where the sun's ascent above the equator, and descent below it, terminate, are called the solstitial points; the former being the estival or summer point, and the latter the brumal or winter point.