zodiac (zō`dēăk) [Gr. zoion=animal], in astronomy, zone of the sky that includes about 8° on either side of the ecliptic ecliptic (ēklĭp`tĭk, ĭ–)
..... Click the link for more information. . The apparent paths of the sun, the moon, and the major planets all fall within this zone. The zodiac is divided into 12 equal parts of 30° each, each part being named for a constellation, each of which is represented by a sign and many of which have animal names. The constellations and their corresponding symbols and dates are listed in the table entitled The Signs of the Zodiac Signs of the Zodiac
Constellation English Name Symbol Dates
Aries The Ram &aries; Mar. 21–Apr. 19
Taurus The Bull &taur; Apr. 20–May 20
Gemini The Twins &gemin; May 21–June 21
..... Click the link for more information. . The zodiac serves as a convenient means of indicating the positions of the heavenly bodies. When the constellations of the zodiac were named about 2,000 years ago, the vernal equinox coincided with the beginning of the constellation Aries. For this reason, the first 30° section of the zodiac is called Aries; it extends eastward 30° from the vernal equinox equinox (ē`kwĭnŏks), either of two points on the celestial sphere where the ecliptic and the celestial equator intersect.
..... Click the link for more information. , which is therefore called the first point of Aries. However, because of the precession of the equinoxes precession of the equinoxes, westward motion of the equinoxes along the ecliptic . This motion was first noted by Hipparchus c.120 B.C. The precession is due to the gravitational attraction of the moon and sun on the equatorial bulge of the earth, which causes the
..... Click the link for more information. , the vernal equinox has moved westward about 30° and now lies in the constellation Pisces; the zodiacal constellations thus no longer correspond to the segments of the zodiac represented by their signs. The constellations will again coincide with the sections of the zodiac in about 25,800 years. The zodiac probably had its origins among the Assyrians or Chaldaeans, although it may have originated among the Babylonians as early as 2000 B.C. It is of importance in astrology astrology, form of divination based on the theory that the movements of the celestial bodies—the stars, the planets, the sun, and the moon—influence human affairs and determine the course of events.
..... Click the link for more information. .
Belt around the heavens extending about 9° on either side of the ecliptic. The orbits of the Moon and the major planets lie entirely within the zodiac. In astrology, each of 12 constellations along this circle is considered to occupy 1/12 (30°) of it. The positions of the Sun and planets when a person is born and their motion through these constellations are said to exert influence on his or her life, though precession of the equinoxes has shifted the constellations eastward, and the Sun no longer passes through them on the traditional dates: Aries, the ram (March 21–April 19); Taurus, the bull (April 20–May 20); Gemini, the twins (May 21–June 21); Cancer, the crab (June 22–July 22); Leo, the lion (July 23–August 22); Virgo, the virgin (August 23–September 22); Libra, the balance (September 23–October 23); Scorpius (see Scorpio), the scorpion (October 24–November 21); Sagittarius, the archer (November 22–December 21); Capricornus (see Capricorn), the goat (December 22–January 19); Aquarius, the water bearer (January 20–February 18); Pisces, the fish (February 19–March 20).
zodiac
Zodiac [′zō·dē‚ak]
Zodiac
..... Click the link for more information. . The apparent paths of the sun, the moon, and the major planets all fall within this zone. The zodiac is divided into 12 equal parts of 30° each, each part being named for a constellation, each of which is represented by a sign and many of which have animal names. The constellations and their corresponding symbols and dates are listed in the table entitled The Signs of the Zodiac Signs of the Zodiac
Constellation English Name Symbol Dates
Aries The Ram &aries; Mar. 21–Apr. 19
Taurus The Bull &taur; Apr. 20–May 20
Gemini The Twins &gemin; May 21–June 21
..... Click the link for more information. . The zodiac serves as a convenient means of indicating the positions of the heavenly bodies. When the constellations of the zodiac were named about 2,000 years ago, the vernal equinox coincided with the beginning of the constellation Aries. For this reason, the first 30° section of the zodiac is called Aries; it extends eastward 30° from the vernal equinox equinox (ē`kwĭnŏks), either of two points on the celestial sphere where the ecliptic and the celestial equator intersect.
..... Click the link for more information. , which is therefore called the first point of Aries. However, because of the precession of the equinoxes precession of the equinoxes, westward motion of the equinoxes along the ecliptic . This motion was first noted by Hipparchus c.120 B.C. The precession is due to the gravitational attraction of the moon and sun on the equatorial bulge of the earth, which causes the
..... Click the link for more information. , the vernal equinox has moved westward about 30° and now lies in the constellation Pisces; the zodiacal constellations thus no longer correspond to the segments of the zodiac represented by their signs. The constellations will again coincide with the sections of the zodiac in about 25,800 years. The zodiac probably had its origins among the Assyrians or Chaldaeans, although it may have originated among the Babylonians as early as 2000 B.C. It is of importance in astrology astrology, form of divination based on the theory that the movements of the celestial bodies—the stars, the planets, the sun, and the moon—influence human affairs and determine the course of events.
..... Click the link for more information. .
zodiac
)
The astrological images and symbols of the zodiac.
(credit: © Merriam-Webster Inc.)
zodiac
1. an imaginary belt extending 8? either side of the ecliptic, which contains the 12 zodiacal constellations and within which the moon and planets appear to move. It is divided into 12 equal areas, called signs of the zodiac, each named after the constellation which once lay in it
2. Astrology a diagram, usually circular, representing this belt and showing the symbols, illustrations, etc., associated with each of the 12 signs of the zodiac, used to predict the future
Zodiac [′zō·dē‚ak]
(astronomy)
A band of the sky extending 8° on each side of the ecliptic, within which the moon and principal planets remain.
Zodiac
See also Astrology.
AquariusAriesCancerCapricornGeminiLeoLibraPiscesSagittariusScorpioTaurusVirgo
water-bearer (Jan. 20–Feb. 18). [Astrology: Hall, 314]
ram (Mar. 21–Apr. 19). [Astrology: Hall, 314]
crab (June 21–July 22). [Astrology: Hall, 314]
goat (Dec. 22–Jan. 19). [Astrology: Hall, 315]
twins (May 21–June 20). [Astrology: Hall, 314]
lion (July 23–Aug. 22). [Astrology: Hall, 315]
balance (Sept. 23–Oct. 22). [Astrology: Hall, 315]
fishes (Feb. 19-Mar. 20). [Astrology: Hall, 314]
archer (Nov. 22–Dec. 21). [Astrology: Hall, 315]
scorpion (Oct. 23–Nov. 21). [Astrology: Hall, 315]
bull (Apr. 20–May 20). [Astrology: Hall, 314]
virgin (Aug. 23–Sept. 22). [Astrology: Hall, 315]
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