Ecliptic coordinate system

A celestial coordinate system whose fundamental plane is the ecliptic, the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun. It specifies positions by ecliptic longitude and latitude.

Ecliptic: The apparent annual path of the Sun across the celestial sphere, lying in the plane of Earth's orbit. This system measures latitude from, and longitude along, this plane.
Equatorial coordinate system: A celestial coordinate system based on the celestial equator, using right ascension and declination. Its equator-based coordinates differ from this system's ecliptic-based coordinates.
Solar System: The Sun and the gravitationally bound objects that orbit it. The ecliptic closely tracks the plane in which most major planets orbit.
Horizontal coordinate system: A local sky coordinate system using altitude above the horizon and azimuth along it. It describes an object's position relative to an observer, unlike the ecliptic's orbital plane.
Celestial sphere: An imaginary sphere centered on an observer onto which celestial objects are projected. The coordinate system locates directions on this shared astronomical model.
Obliquity of the ecliptic: The angle between the ecliptic and the celestial equator. This angle governs the rotation between ecliptic and equatorial coordinates.
Planetary orbit: The trajectory of a planet around its host star under gravity. Orbital inclinations and positions are often expressed relative to the ecliptic.
Galactic coordinate system: A celestial coordinate system whose fundamental plane is the Milky Way's disk. It emphasizes Galactic structure rather than the Solar System's orbital geometry.
Ecliptic longitude: The angular distance of a celestial object eastward along the ecliptic from a chosen zero point. It is the system's coordinate measured within the fundamental plane.
Coordinate transformation: A mathematical conversion that expresses coordinates in one reference system using another. It converts ecliptic longitude and latitude into equatorial coordinates, or back.

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