ecliptic coordinate system

ecliptic coordinate system an astronomical coordinate system in which the principal coordinate axis is the ecliptic , the apparent path of the sun through the heavens. The ecliptic poles are the two points at which a line perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic through the center of the earth strikes the surface of the celestial sphere . The north ecliptic pole lies in the constellation Draco.

ecliptic coordinates A system of coordinates that specifies the position of an object in the Solar System relative to the plane of the Earth's orbit, the ecliptic. Ecliptic coordinates of objects as they would be seen from the centre of the Earth (i.e. geocentric ecliptic coordinates) are given in terms of celestial latitude and celestial longitude (also known as ecliptic latitude and longitude). Ecliptic coordinates of objects as they would be seen from the centre of the Sun (i.e. heliocentric ecliptic coordinates) are given in terms of heliocentric latitude and heliocentric longitude.