Ecliptic latitude

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Ecliptic latitude is one of the co-ordinates which can be used to define the location of an astronomical object on the celestial sphere in ecliptic coordinates. In this system, the celestial sphere is divided into two hemispheres by the plane of the ecliptic, or the plane of the earth's orbit. From the perspective of the earth, the sun travels in the ecliptic and always has ecliptic latitude of 0. The ecliptic latitude is the angle north or south of the ecliptic analogous to how terrestrial latitude is the angular position on the earth north or south of the equator. The planets tend to have low ecliptic latitude; they are always within a few degrees of the ecliptic with the exception of Pluto. Most other objects in the solar system: asteroids, comets, and dust are also at low ecliptic latitude.

Ecliptic latitude

See also