Question about the Ecliptic & the Moon

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Kernix
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Question about the Ecliptic & the Moon

Post by Kernix »

There are 2 questions that I have. Here is the first and basic question: I'm trying to understand the ecliptic and how it intersects with the celestial equator. I have a problem sometimes if I can't visualize a thing I'm learning. Does anyone know of the BEST site(s) for explaining the transits of the planets thru the signs along the ecliptic?

I ask because I'm at approximately 40 degrees north latitude, and therefore I should not see any planets north of me. And this leads to my second and main question. I've been seeing the Moon north of me since the fall equinox. I've been noticing that at night when the moon is anywhere from the 12th to 10th house. And I saw the moon almost conjunct Saturn just before sunset a couple of months ago, and they were both about to set in the South West. First, does the Moon NOT travel in the ecliptic and therefore can be north of my position at different times of the year? Secondly, given my latitude and the time of the year does the ecliptic rise in the northeast and set in the southwest? I think it may be the location of the moon that is throwing me off. I have seen Mars in Pisces in the 12th and 11th houses and it is definitely south of me.

Hope all that makes sense.
Kernix
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Re: Question about the Ecliptic & the Moon

Post by admin »

Hi Kernix,

Yes, of course it makes sense !

This is one of the most easily-understandable sites (I think):http://www.astro.com/astrology/cw_astro_houses_e.htm

Re the matter of not seeing any planets/bodies north of you, although this site: https://stellarium.org/ is astronomical rather than astrological, it’s really worth downloading it as you can see exactly where in the sky every planet etc. is visible from your location at any moment.

I’m sure there are others here who will explain your second question further and in detail. (I can't do so right now. Would need to go back in time to my early astrology days and learning).

Best,
Admin.
"Don't let the illusions of your past or future rob you of the infiniteness of your present." [Unknown]
Kernix
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Location: Philadelphia, PA USA
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Re: Question about the Ecliptic & the Moon

Post by Kernix »

Thanks. The Astro.com article is good but I have a good understanding of the house systems. I do have the free version of Stellarium but I could never access the controls. I just realized now that it may be because I have a monitor plugged into my laptop and sometimes I can't see the edges that are visible on the laptop. I just removed Stellarium and downloaded it again (I thought they had a premium version).

But I really need to see the planets moving along the ecliptic and Earth as well to visualize it. The Franklin Institute is a few blocks from me. I was thinking of going to see if they have models of the solar system.
Kernix
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Re: Question about the Ecliptic & the Moon

Post by admin »

Hi Kernix,

Well, I had a long search, which was fun, to say the least !

Here are just a very few:

https://earthsky.org/space/what-is-the-ecliptic

Planets moving along the ecliptic – youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Q-0UPlsSw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IYR8T2uglA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-TtcfmbrkI

In fact there are so many on youtube I had to stop.

By the way, re Stellarium, I had the same problem...until I accidentally hovered my cursor at the edge and all of the controls then appeared.

How lucky you are to live so close to the Franklin Institute and have access to their observatory. Surely you'll find what you're looking for there !

Good Luck and please do let us know how you go with all of this.

Best,
Admin.
"Don't let the illusions of your past or future rob you of the infiniteness of your present." [Unknown]
Kernix
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Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:15 pm
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Re: Question about the Ecliptic & the Moon

Post by Kernix »

Thanks for going to all that trouble. I've watched a lot of vids on Youtube but I'll check them out. I'm hoping the Franklin Inst. has a planetarium. I also saw the buttons on the edges of the program, but I still couldn't do much. I'll reload the new version and see if it changes.

Thanks!
jim
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