File:Ecliptic_with_earth_and_sun_animation.gif · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

EntityQ79852· pop 89· linked from 3,410 articles

ecliptic

Also known as ecliptic plane

thumb|upright=1.3|As seen from the orbiting Earth, the [[Sun appears to move with respect to the fixed stars, and the ecliptic is the yearly path the Sun follows on the celestial sphere. This process repeats itself in a cycle lasting a little over 365 days.]]

AI overview

The ecliptic is the path that the Sun appears to follow across the sky throughout the year as seen from Earth. This apparent motion repeats in a cycle of about 365 days and helps us track the Sun's position relative to the stars.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Wikidata facts

Image: Eclipticadiagrama.png

Show 1 more fact

Commons category: Ecliptic

Sources (2)

via Wikidata · CC0

~16 min read

Article

12 sections

Contents

Sun's apparent motion
Relationship to the celestial equator
Obliquity of the ecliptic {{anchor|Obliquity}}
Plane of the Solar System
Celestial reference plane
Eclipses
Equinoxes and solstices
In the constellations
Astrology
See also
Notes and references
External links

The ecliptic or ecliptic plane is the orbital plane of Earth around the Sun. It was a central concept in a number of ancient sciences, providing the framework for key measurements in astronomy, astrology and calendar-making.