Hi TRF colleagues,
At each equinox (vernal and autumnal), Earth’s ecliptic crosses the celestial equator. Thus, for us in the Northern hemisphere, at the March (or vernal) equinox Earth transits the celestial equator on its ecliptic path from south to north. Then at the September (or autumnal equinox) Earth crosses the celestial equator as it proceeds from north to south.
Therefore, at each equinox, the distance between Earth and the celestial equator is zero. So far so good.
Here is my question, please.
What is the distance between Earth and the celestial equator at other times during the year? What is that distance right now, for example? What is that distance at the December and the June solstices? I should be able to figure that last one out, but I am blanking on how to do it.
Thank you for your consideration.
Stanley
At each equinox (vernal and autumnal), Earth’s ecliptic crosses the celestial equator. Thus, for us in the Northern hemisphere, at the March (or vernal) equinox Earth transits the celestial equator on its ecliptic path from south to north. Then at the September (or autumnal equinox) Earth crosses the celestial equator as it proceeds from north to south.
Therefore, at each equinox, the distance between Earth and the celestial equator is zero. So far so good.
Here is my question, please.
What is the distance between Earth and the celestial equator at other times during the year? What is that distance right now, for example? What is that distance at the December and the June solstices? I should be able to figure that last one out, but I am blanking on how to do it.
Thank you for your consideration.
Stanley