CURRENT ECLIPTIC & CELESTIAL EQUATOR


Courtesy: Fourmilab Switzerland  (To update, reload page.)

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Scroll the above sky map right and left to view the current circumstances along the Ecliptic (red line) and Celestial Equator (aqua line).  Though the Ecliptic is plotted in line segments (because this is a composite image), the loca- tions of all sky objects are accurate.  Note that you may widen this window to display more of the equatorial band of the sky at the same time.  In the legend you may click on an object's symbol or label to open another tab with a map zoomed and centered on that object.  (Remember: east and west are reversed in this view, because you are looking up, not down.)  You will quickly find the locations of the Sun, the Moon, the planets and dwarf-planet Pluto in the constellations of the zodiac, i.e. the ones through which the Ecliptic—the plane of Earth's orbit—runs.  The Ecliptic, often regarded as the plane of the Solar System, is usually the most active part of the sky.  With this map, which opens with the Vernal (March) Equinox () visible, you will be able to keep track of the most prominent ob- jects in our sky, including when they move past each other or past major stars, galaxies and nebulae.  Presenting another perspective on this band of the sky, the  Sun's Apparent Motion along the Ecliptic  shows the Sun's loca-
tion throughout the year.  For a more complete view of the heavens check out our  Current Sky  page.

 

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