What is the approximate angle of inclination between the ecliptic and the celestial equator?
Answer
23.5 degrees
The angle of inclination between the ecliptic, which traces the Sun's path related to Earth's orbit, and the celestial equator, which is the projection of Earth's equator onto the sky, amounts to approximately $23.5^ ext{circ}$. This specific tilt is crucial because it is the direct geometric cause responsible for the occurrence of the seasons. Without this inclination, the Sun would always remain on the celestial equator, resulting in perpetual spring-like conditions without seasonal variation.
#Videos
The Ecliptic: Crash Course Kids #37.2 - YouTube
Related Questions
What is the formal name for the path the Sun traces on the celestial sphere over one year?What is the approximate angle of inclination between the ecliptic and the celestial equator?Which solar events mark the two points where the ecliptic crosses the celestial equator?What collection of constellations lies near the ecliptic through which the Sun appears to travel?How many constellations recognized by the IAU intersect the ecliptic, contrasting the traditional 12 signs?Which constellation is identified as the extra one whose boundaries intersect the ecliptic beyond the traditional 12 signs?What astronomical characteristic causes the time the Sun spends traversing Virgo versus Scorpius to differ significantly?If the Sun is currently in the region traditionally assigned to Leo, which constellation should be seen culminating (overhead) around midnight?What long-term phenomenon causes the apparent position of the equinoxes to shift westward along the ecliptic over a 26,000-year cycle?Due to precession, what aspect of the Sun's path no longer aligns with the ancient assignments?