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Star color
Constellation
Tycho ID
Coords (RA/Dec)
Magnitude

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Ecliptic
황도 · The Sun's apparent yearly path

The *path the Sun appears to trace* across the celestial sphere over a year. As Earth orbits the Sun, the Sun appears to drift through the stars from our point of view.

ε ≈ 23.44°

The tilt between the ecliptic and the celestial equator — what gives Earth its seasons.

  • Vernal equinoxα=0h, δ=0° · around March 21 · day = night
  • Summer solsticeα=6h, δ=+23.44° · around June 22 · longest day
  • Autumnal equinoxα=12h, δ=0° · around September 23
  • Winter solsticeα=18h, δ=−23.44° · around December 22 · longest night

Twelve constellations lie along the ecliptic — Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius, Pisces.

★ Sun (Sol) Today's position · —

On this map, Sol marks *where the Sun stands among the stars today*. It drifts one tiny step along the ecliptic each day, tracing a full loop over a year.

☾ Earth Today's position (antisolar point) · —

Astronomically, *Earth is not a star on the celestial sphere*. On this map, Earth marks the *midnight zenith* (antisolar point) — the patch of sky where the full Moon and prime stargazing live. It always sits opposite the Sun along the ecliptic.