Ecliptic
[ɪ'klɪptɪk]
Definition
(noun.) the great circle representing the apparent annual path of the sun; the plane of the Earth's orbit around the sun; makes an angle of about 23 degrees with the equator; 'all of the planets rotate the sun in approximately the same ecliptic'.
Inputed by Katrina--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) A great circle of the celestial sphere, making an angle with the equinoctial of about 23¡ 28'. It is the apparent path of the sun, or the real path of the earth as seen from the sun.
(a.) A great circle drawn on a terrestrial globe, making an angle of 23¡ 28' with the equator; -- used for illustrating and solving astronomical problems.
(a.) Pertaining to the ecliptic; as, the ecliptic way.
(a.) Pertaining to an eclipse or to eclipses.
Checked by Judith
Examples
- There is no distinction between the equator and the ecliptic. Plato. The Republic.
- Further, the moon must at that time be in the same plane as the earth’s shadow; that is, the plane of the ecliptic in which the latter always moves. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- They calculated the angle of the ecliptic and the precession of the equinoxes. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The sun's apparent diameter was contained 720 times in the ecliptic, that is, in the apparent path of the sun through the heavens. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
Checker: Uriah