Signs of the Zodiac

Signs of the Zodiac LESSON XIV. ZODIAC.

Question. What is the Zodiac?

Answer. It is a circular belt in the heavens 16 degrees wide; 8 degrees on each side .of the ecliptic.

Q. How is the zodiac divided'

A. It is divided into 12 equal parts, called signs or constellations of the zodiac.

Q. How is each sign divided?

A. Each sign is divided into 30 degrees; each degree into 60 minutes; each minute into 60 seconds, &c. Q. What great circle is in the middle of the zodiac?

A. The ecliptic, or orbit of the earth.

Q. What are the names of the constellations of the zodiac and the signs of the ecliptic?

A. Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius, and Pisces.

Q. Do the constellations of the zodiac and the signs of the ecliptic occupy the same places in the heavens?

A. They do not: the signs in the ecliptic have fallen back of the constellations about 31 degrees.

Q. Did the constellations of the zodiac and signs of the ecliptic ever correspond?

A. They corresponded to each other about 22 centuries ago.

Q. What is the cause of the falling back of the signs of the ecliptic among the constellations?

A. It is caused by the retrograde motion of the equinoxes. (note.)

V- Upon what do the seasons depend?

.4. They depend upon the revolution of the earth from one equinox to the same, again.

Q. Does the earth revolve around the sun in exactly the same time that it moves from one equinca to the same equinox again?

A. It moves from either equinox to the same again, seventeen minutes sooner, than around the sun.

Smith's illustrated astronomy By Asa Smith

Title: Smith's illustrated astronomy. Author: Asa Smith. Publisher: Cady, 1848. Original from: Princeton University. Digitized: Feb 26, 2009. Length: 68 pages. Subjects Science › Astronomy. Astronomy. Science / Astronomy.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1848, by Asa Smith, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York.

This Image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired. This applies to the United States, where Works published prior to 1923 are copyright protected for a maximum of 75 years. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF from the U.S. Copyright Office. Works published before 1923 (in this case 1848) are now in the public domain.