Ecliptic: Quick Facts

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north celestial and ecliptic poles

Planes of the ecliptic, the lunar equator, and the lunar orbit

Planet's orbital plane in relation to the ecliptic

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Zodiac Sun Celestial sphere Solstice Equinox Horizon Midnight sun solar energy 6 Questions About the Sun Answered How hot is the Sun?The Sun Was Eaten: 6 Ways Cultures Have Explained Eclipses Solar eclipse Heliosphere

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Astronomical map: Introduction

Key People

Engraving of six astronomers, with Hipparchus seated at center and, from left to right, Galileo, Johannes Hevelius, Tycho Brahe, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Ptolemy standing, each holding scientific instruments.

Hipparchus

Greek astronomer

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al-Battānī

Arab astronomer and mathematician

Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.

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