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How to Visualize the Solar System as the Earth Orbits the Sun

-- John Wynne | April 17, 2020

Question:

From the earth, on a daily basis, how does one visualize the shifting angle of the solar system as earth orbits the sun? I observe that it’s different at sunrise, noon and sunset. But how to join this all up together to see it as a yearly cycle?

-- John Wynne

Answer:

I think that what you are looking for is a way to show what the orientation of the Sun and planets are on any given day relative to the Earth. A nice interactive tool to do this is the 3D Diagram of the Solar System at In-The-Sky.org. You can enter your location and date to show the position of the Sun and planets both in the plane of the solar system and in the sky.

-- Jeff Mangum

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