Definition:Ecliptic Coordinate System

Definition

The ecliptic coordinate system is an astronomical coordinate system in which measurements are based on the ecliptic.

Hence a point on the celestial sphere is located by means of $2$ angular measurements:

the celestial longitude $\lambda$ is the angular distance measured eastwards along the ecliptic from the vernal equinox

the celestial latitude $\beta$ is the angular distance measured north or south of the ecliptic.

Also see

• Results about the ecliptic coordinate system can be found here.

Sources

• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): ecliptic coordinate system
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): ecliptic coordinate system