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http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/celestial/celestial.html
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http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/celestial/celestial.html
Actually, all objects are slowly changing their relative positions on the celestial sphere, but for most the motion is so slow that it cannot be detected over timespans comparable to a human lifetime; only the "wanderers" have sufficiently fast motion for this change to be easily visible.
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http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/celestial/celestial.html
The ecliptic is important observationally, because the planets, the Sun (by definition), and the Moon are always found near the ecliptic. As we shall see later, this is because all of these objects have orbits that lie nearly in the same spatial plane. Shockwave movie illustrating the ecliptic. Motion of Sun through Zodiac in Copernican Model.
Thus, objects to the west of the Sun on the celestial sphere precede the Sun in the diurnal motion of the celestial sphere (they "rise" before the Sun and "set" before the Sun). Likewise, objects to the east of the Sun trail the Sun in the diurnal motion (they "rise" after the Sun and "set" after the Sun). Generally, one object is west of another object if it "rises" before the other object over the eastern horizon as the sky appears to turn, and east of the object if it "rises" after the other object. Venus as the Morning Star. Venus as the Evening Sstar. Next Back Top Home Help
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