Why does the Earth's axial tilt create an east-west variation in the analemma?

Asked Apr 24 '18 at 01:55

Active Apr 24 '18 at 02:01

Viewed 69 times

I've been reading about the Earth's analemma from Wikipedia, and I am having trouble visualizing one component. Let's build up to my question.

If the Earth had a circular orbit and no axial tilt, the analemma would be a dot.
If the Earth had an eccentric orbit and no axial tilt, the analemma would be a east-west line.
If the Earth had a circular orbit and axial tilt, the analemma would be symmetric figure eight.

My question: In situation 3, I understand the north-south variation of the symmetric analemma, but I don't understand why there would be symmetric east-west variation.

Why does the Earth's axial tilt create an east-west variation in the analemma?

edited Apr 24 '18 at 02:01

asked Apr 24 '18 at 01:55

Nick Vence

1

Related: Effect of the obliquity of the ecliptic / tilt of the Earth on the equation of time – Mike G Apr 24 '18 at 02:15
1

There's a detailed explanation in this document The Analemma for
Latitudinally-Challenged People. – StephenG - Help Ukraine Apr 24 '18 at 12:08
The east-west variation in the analemma is the equation of time, making this a duplicate of the previously cited linked question. – David Hammen Apr 24 '18 at 15:05

Why does the Earth's axial tilt create an east-west variation in the analemma?

0 Answers0