The Ecliptic and the Galactic Planes

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    Ecliptic Planes
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between the ecliptic and the galactic planes, specifically addressing the angle of tilt and its implications for visualizing celestial motions. Participants explore the alignment of these planes and seek resources for animations that depict planetary motion in relation to the galactic center.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the ecliptic is tilted about 60 degrees relative to the galactic plane, with one participant questioning the meaning of "in the front."
  • There is a suggestion that the tilt of the ecliptic is aligned with the solar system's orbital motion around the galaxy.
  • One participant expresses surprise at the relationship between the tilt of the Milky Way and the ecliptic, initially attributing it to the tilt of the Earth's axis.
  • Participants discuss the availability of animations depicting the motion of planets around the sun as the sun moves around the galactic center, with a request for better representations than a specific criticized video.
  • Concerns are raised about the accuracy of a particular animation, with participants labeling the creator as a "crackpot" and noting that the portrayal of planetary motion lacks correlation to reality.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the tilt of the ecliptic but express differing views on the quality and accuracy of available animations depicting celestial motions. There is no consensus on the best resources for visualizing these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the tilt of the Earth's axis in relation to the ecliptic but do not resolve how this affects perceptions of the Milky Way's position in the sky. The discussion includes references to specific animations, but no definitive recommendations are made.

EskWIRED
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I heard recently that the ecliptic is about 60 degrees out of alignment with the galactic plane, and was tilted up in the "front". Is that true?
 
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It is tilted about that much.
I'm not sure what "in the front" means, but the plane of the ecliptic is tilted roughly towards the direction of the solar system's orbital motion around the galaxy.
Try a planetarium software(e.g., Celestia http://www.shatters.net/celestia/ ) to help you visualise it, or go out at night where you can see the band of the Milky Way and compare its position on the sky with that of the ecliptic.
 
Bandersnatch said:
It is tilted about that much.
I'm not sure what "in the front" means, but the plane of the ecliptic is tilted roughly towards the direction of the solar system's orbital motion around the galaxy.
Try a planetarium software(e.g., Celestia http://www.shatters.net/celestia/ ) to help you visualise it, or go out at night where you can see the band of the Milky Way and compare its position on the sky with that of the ecliptic.


AH! So THAT is why the Milky Way is tilted in the sky! Wow. I never really thought about that. I guess I assumed that it had to do with the tilt of the Earth's axis, but I never really thought about it.

Is anybody aware of a good animation of the planets circling the sun as the sun moves around the galactic center, similar to the inaccurate one at ?
 
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You might want to remove the link to that video. Guy is a crackpot.


In this context, the tilt of the axis is responsible for the ecliptic(i.e., the zodiacal signs) being tilted away from the horizon.

I don't know of any such animations off the top of me head. What I do know is that it's nothing special. It's like watching the moons of Uranus go around the planet as it goes around the Sun.
 
Bandersnatch said:
You might want to remove the link to that video. Guy is a crackpot.

Indeed he is, and the video portrays planetary motion that has no correlation to reality.

But damn, it sure looks nice! It is too bad that such a talented animator did not do things accurately.

So does anybody know of a nice animation, on par with the crackpot animation, that shows the planets circling the sun as the sun circles the galactic center?
 

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