It says: The ecliptic marks the position of the sun on the celestial sphere throughout the year. Why is the ecliptic tilted relative to the celestial equator? Also, how would a planisphere be constructed for observers at the North Pole? Where would the sky window be and how far would it extend? Please help!!
2007-02-27 14:53:54 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The ecliptic is tilted to the equator because the Earth's rotational axis is tilted.
A planisphere for a lattiude of 90 (north pole) would have a circular window centered at the celestial north pole (polaris) and would extend to the equator.
2007-02-27 15:10:56 · answer #1 · answered by Arkalius 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The celestial equator is the projection of the equator on the "celestial sphere". The celestial equator is tilted 23.5 degrees to the orbital path of the earth. The orbital path of the earth is in the plane of the ecliptic, along with most of the other planets.
Hence, the ecliptic seems to be tilted at 23.5 degrees to the celestial equator.
A north pole planisphere would show all the stars north of the celestial equator, and the ecliptic tilted 23.5 degrees and visible over half the visible sky. Polaris would be nearly overhead.
2007-02-28 00:16:08 · answer #2 · answered by David A 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually it's the cellestial equator that is tilted.
The ecliptic follows the path of the planets and sun and moon.
The Earth wobbles or tilts on its axis.
The celestial equator is at a 90 degree angle to the poles. The Ecliptic is the orbital path for the planets, which can eclipse each other (hence the name) as they pass in front of each other.
Think of the Solar System as shaped like Saturn, with all the planets forming the ring.
The Earth is in the ring also, moving in almost that straight path.
But the Earth tils 23 degrees up and down each year. Our equator (the celestial equator) moves from the northern part of Saturn (being the SUN basically) to middle, to the lower part.
See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obliquity_of_the_ecliptic
2007-02-27 23:10:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Wow, a good question amid a sea of ignorance and conspiracy theories. On the other hand you have those braniacs attempting to sound smart while quoting convoluted Wikipedia articles...or simply not giving a straightforward answer.
Not that I'm providing an actual answer, but Arkalius did. I can't improve on direct and simple perfection. Earl and David could learn something. I just wanted to let you know to listen to Arkalius.
2007-02-28 03:08:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
blondie needs help. ecliptic this, and planisphere that.
2007-02-27 23:10:11 · answer #5 · answered by Scpwnz 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋