Astronomical Algorithms Tonight's night sky · animate time with Play
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PLANETS DISTANCES (MKm)
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Constellations elements
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Stars
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Axes

Line of Nodes

The intersection line of an orbit plane with the reference plane.

Definition

The line of nodes is the intersection of the orbital plane with the reference plane (ecliptic). It passes through both the ascending and descending nodes and rotates slowly due to perturbations — lunar node regression takes ~18.6 years.

3D illustration

The node axis is the intersection of the orbital plane with the ecliptic.

Use the menu and time controls to explore. Based on Jean Meeus' Astronomical Algorithms.