Fol″low‐ing, a. 1. Next after; succeeding; ensuing; as, the assembly was held on the following day.
2. (Astron.) (In the field of a telescope) In the direction from which stars are apparently moving (in consequence of the earth's rotation); as, a small star, north following or south following. In the direction toward which stars appear to move is called preceding.
☞ The four principal directions in the field of a telescope are north, south, following, preceding.