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Ecliptic: meaning, definitions and examples

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ecliptic

[ ɪˈklɪptɪk ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

astronomy

The ecliptic is the apparent path of the Sun in the sky, along which eclipses occur. It is the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun.

Synonyms

celestial equator.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ecliptic	This term is used in astronomy to describe the apparent path of the Sun across the sky over a year. It is often referenced when explaining the positions and movements of celestial bodies. The planets' orbits are mostly close to the ecliptic plane. Astronomers use the ecliptic to map the zodiac constellations.
celestial equator	This term refers to an imaginary projection of the Earth's equator into space. It is useful in astronomy and navigation when describing the positions of stars and other celestial objects relative to Earth's equator. The celestial equator divides the sky into northern and southern hemispheres. During an equinox, the Sun crosses the celestial equator.

Word

Description / Examples

ecliptic

This term is used in astronomy to describe the apparent path of the Sun across the sky over a year. It is often referenced when explaining the positions and movements of celestial bodies.

The planets' orbits are mostly close to the ecliptic plane.
Astronomers use the ecliptic to map the zodiac constellations.

celestial equator

This term refers to an imaginary projection of the Earth's equator into space. It is useful in astronomy and navigation when describing the positions of stars and other celestial objects relative to Earth's equator.

The celestial equator divides the sky into northern and southern hemispheres.
During an equinox, the Sun crosses the celestial equator.

Examples of usage

The Moon always stays near the ecliptic in the sky.
Solar and lunar eclipses can only occur when the Moon crosses the ecliptic.

Translations

Translations of the word "ecliptic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 eclíptica

🇮🇳 क्रांतिवृत्त

🇩🇪 Ekliptik

🇮🇩 ekliptika

🇺🇦 екліптика

🇵🇱 ekliptika

🇯🇵 黄道 (こうどう)

🇫🇷 écliptique

🇪🇸 eclíptica

🇹🇷 ekliptik

🇰🇷 황도 (황도)

🇸🇦 مسار الشمس

🇨🇿 ekliptika

🇸🇰 ekliptika

🇨🇳 黄道 (huángdào)

🇸🇮 ekliptika

🇮🇸 sólbraut

🇰🇿 эклиптика

🇬🇪 ეკლიპტიკა

🇦🇿 ekliptika

🇲🇽 eclíptica

Etymology

The word 'ecliptic' comes from the Greek word 'ekleipsis', which means 'abandonment' or 'failing'. It was originally used in ancient astronomy to describe the apparent path of the Sun in the sky. The concept of the ecliptic has been crucial in understanding the movements of celestial bodies and predicting astronomical events.