Volume 15 Issue 07 July 2009
Sun Watch -- Along the Ecliptic
Along the ecliptic with the sun during July

Along the ecliptic with the Earth during July

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

the sun's surface -- photosphere Sun Stats:

Mid-Day 20 July

Distance: 1.0161 A.U.
Apparent Angular Size: 31'
Right Ascension: 8 h, 1.8 m
Declination: 20.5o

The Sun From 40oNorth
Mid-Day Altitude: 71.35o

On 20 July the sun, in its apparent eastward motion along the ecliptic, enters the boundaries of the constellation Cancer. This represents the sun's Astronomical or actual position with respect to the zodiacal constellations in the background.
While on 22 July the sun will enter the boundaries of the Astrological sign Leo.

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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