Ecliptic Collection

Uranographia constellations, 1801 C013 / 8953
Uranographia constellations. This page of this star atlas shows Northern Hemisphere constellations. The constellations are groupings of stars in the night sky

Leo constellation with Mars. Optical image of the zodiacal constellation Leo, the lion, seen with the planet Mars (orange, centre)

Historical artwork of the constellation of Taurus
Taurus. Coloured historical artwork of the constellation of Taurus. The constellation is depicted as a bull charging at the shield of Orion, below the Bull to his left

Arab astronomer
3330984 Arab astronomer; (add.info.: Engraving depicting an Arab astronomer, one holding an armillary sphere showing a geocentric universe and the path of the ecliptic)

An armillary sphere
3740718 An armillary sphere; (add.info.: Illustration depicting an armillary sphere. An armillary sphere is a model of objects in the sky consisting of a spherical framework of rings)

An armillary sphere
3740716 An armillary sphere; (add.info.: Illustration depicting an armillary sphere. An armillary sphere is a model of objects in the sky consisting of a spherical framework of rings)

Arab astronomer
3330987 Arab astronomer; (add.info.: Engraving depicting an Arab astronomer, one holding an armillary sphere showing a geocentric universe and the path of the ecliptic)

Engraving depicting an armillary sphere, a model of objects in the sky (on the celestial sphere)
5309270 Engraving depicting an armillary sphere, a model of objects in the sky (on the celestial sphere), consisting of a spherical framework of rings, centred on Earth or the Sun

An armillary sphere
3740717 An armillary sphere; (add.info.: Illustration depicting an armillary sphere. An armillary sphere is a model of objects in the sky consisting of a spherical framework of rings)

An armillary sphere
3740714 An armillary sphere; (add.info.: Illustration depicting an armillary sphere. An armillary sphere is a model of objects in the sky consisting of a spherical framework of rings)

Woodblock engraving depicting Arab astronomers
5309365 Woodblock engraving depicting Arab astronomers; (add.info.: Woodblock engraving depicting Arab astronomers. One holds an armillary sphere showing a geocentric universe)

Copernican (heliocentric / Sun-centred) system of the Universe, 1708
Copernican (heliocentric/Sun-centred) system of the Universe, 1761. Illustration showing ecliptic and the orbit of the Earth and the planets

Various methods of observing sunspots, illustration from Rosa Orsina
XJF294057 Various methods of observing sunspots, illustration from Rosa Orsina by Christoph Scheiner, published 1630 (engraving) (b/w photo) (for detail see 294058) by German School

Ptolemaic (geocentric / Earth-centred) system of the Universe, 1708
Ptolemaic (geocentric/Earth-centred) system of the Universe, 1708. Illustration showing the position of the Sun, Moon and planets and the band of the ecliptic

Illustration depicting an armillary sphere, 16th century
Illustration depicting an armillary sphere

Annulorum by Johann Dryander. Colored engraving
Johann Dryander (1500-1560). German anatomist and astronomer. Annulorum. Title cover, 1537. Colored engraving

Annulorum by Johann Dryander
Johann Dryander (1500-1560). German anatomist and astronomer. Annulorum. Title cover, 1537

Copernican, Heliocentric, Sun-centred, system of universe showing the ecliptic and the orbit of the earth and the planets and demonstrating reason for night and day

Zodiacal Light, thought to be sunlight reflected from meteoric dust along the plane of the ecliptic. From The Beauty of the Heavens by Charles F Blount (London, 1845). Coloured lithograph

Celestial Globe C017 / 3444
Plate from 18th century encyclopedia showing an illustration of a celestial globe. Celestial globes show the apparent positions of the stars in the sky

Zodiac constellations, artwork C017 / 0756
Constellations. Computer artwork showing the locations of the constellations that correspond to the signs of the zodiac. Clockwise from centre-left: scorpio, libra, virgo, leo, cancer, gemini

Armillary Sphere Illustration C017 / 3481
Plate from 18th century encyclopedia showing an illustration of an armillary sphere (variations are known as spherical astrolabe, armilla, or armil)

Astronomical Quadrants Illustration C017 / 3536
Plate from 18th century encyclopedia showing an illustration of Gunters and Suttons quadrants. A quadrant is an instrument made of wood, brass or other substance

Northern constellations, 18th century
Northern constellations. 18th-century map of constellations and stars of the northern celestial hemisphere. The constellations are represented by artworks of their mythical namesakes

Sunrise over Millennial Arch Ecliptic, by artist David Trubridge, Napier Waterfront, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand

Historical artwork of the constellation of Leo
Leo. Coloured historical artwork of the constellation of Leo. The constellation is depicted as a lion. Leo is the fifth sign of the Zodiac. The Sun is in Leo between 23 July and 22 August

Historical artwork of the constellation of Aries

Historical artwork of the constellation of Gemini
Gemini. Coloured historical artwork of the constellation of Gemini. The constellation is depicted as a pair of twins, one holding a club, the other a flail. Gemini is the third sign of the Zodiac

Historical art of the constellation of Sagittarius
Sagittarius. Coloured historical artwork of the constellation of Sagittarius. The constellation is shown as a centaur archer. Sagittarius is the ninth sign of the Zodiac

Historical artwork of the constellation of Virgo
Virgo. Coloured historical artwork of the constellation of Virgo. The constellation is depicted as an angel holding a sheaf of wheat. Virgo is the sixth sign of the Zodiac

Historical artwork of the constellation Scorpius

Historical art of the constellation of Capricornus
Capricornus. Coloured historical artwork of the constellation of Capricornus. The constellation is depicted as a sea-goat. Capricornus is the tenth sign of the Zodiac

Historical artwork of the constellation of Cancer
Cancer. Coloured historical artwork of the constellation of Cancer. The constellation is shown as a lobster or crayfish. Cancer is the fourth sign of the Zodiac

Historical artwork of the constellation Aquarius

Armillary sphere, 18th Century artwork
An armillarsphere is model to explain the world around our planet Earth. The sky has a horizon, an ecliptic with all 12 zodiac signs, the tropic of cancer and the tropic of capricon

Drawing of an armillary sphere
Armillary sphere. 18th century engraving of an armillary sphere, here termed an artificial sphere. This is a model of the celestial sphere

Dantis astronomical quadrant
The East face of Ignazio Dantis astronomical quadrant erected in 1572 on the facade of Santa Maria Novella, Florence. Its main purpose was to observe

Dantis Equinoctial Armillary
Located on the south facade of Santa Maria Novella, Florence, this armillary sphere was designed and erected by Ignazio Danti in 1572 enabling him, with other instruments

Tycho Brahes celestial sphere, 1584
Tycho Brahes celestial sphere. Artwork from 1584 of the celestial sphere designed and built by the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546-1601)

Blunt / Sun in Ecliptic
The suns place in the ecliptic

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The ecliptic, a term derived from the Greek word "ekleipsis" meaning "abandonment, " is an essential concept in astronomy. In the Copernican system of the Universe, which was introduced in 1708 by Nicolaus Copernicus, it represents the path that the Sun appears to trace across our sky throughout the year. This revolutionary heliocentric or Sun-centered model replaced the Ptolemaic geocentric or Earth-centered system. One can observe this celestial phenomenon through various methods, as illustrated by Rosa Orsina's work on sunspots in 1708. Johann Dryander also contributed to our understanding of celestial movements with his colored engravings depicting armillary spheres and annulorum. These instruments were crucial for visualizing and studying astronomical phenomena during that era. The ecliptic plays a significant role in astrology as well since it intersects with twelve zodiac constellations along its path. The Zodiacal Light, believed to be sunlight reflecting off meteoric dust aligned with the plane of the ecliptic, adds another layer of intrigue to this cosmic spectacle. To further comprehend these intricate concepts, one can explore celestial globes like C017 / 3444 and artwork such as C017 / 0756 showcasing zodiac constellations. By delving into these representations and historical records, we gain insight into humanity's evolving knowledge about our place within the vast expanse of space.