Volume 14 Issue 1 January 2008
Sun Watch -- Along the Ecliptic
Along the Ecliptic With the Sun During December

Along the Ecliptic With the Earth During December

View From Earth: This month the Sun, (top image), appears to move eastward from Sagittarius the Archer into into the boundaries of Capricornus the Sea Goat.
View From Sun: While during the same time the Earth, moving along its orbit, would be 'traveling' across the constellation of Gemini the Twins into the boundaries of Cancer, the Crab.

the sun's surface -- photosphere Sun Stats:

Mid-Day 20 January

Distance:
Apparent Angular Size:
Right Ascension:
Declination: 		0.984042 A.U.
33'
20 h; 12 m
-19.9o
January 20 -- Mid-Day Sun
Mid-Day Sun (40oNorth)
Altitude: 30.54o
On 20 January the sun, in its apparent eastward motion along the ecliptic enters the boundaries of the constellation Capricornus. This represents the sun's Astronomical or actual position with respect to the zodiacal constellations in the background.
While also on 20 January, the sun enters the Astrological sign of Aquarius.

These animated .gif images have been set to 5-day intervals and are being used to illustrate both the apparent motion of the sun along the ecliptic - as seen from Earth, and the real motion of the Earth along the ecliptic (its orbit)- as if seen from the sun.

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