Tropical Zodiac: The circle of signs that follows the apparent path of the Sun (ecliptic). Also called the movable zodiac because it shifts slightly each year relative to the constellations of the sidereal zodiac. See also Precession of the Equinoxes.

 

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Tropical Zodiac: The circle of signs that follows the apparent path of the Sun (ecliptic). Also called the movable zodiac because it shifts slightly each year relative to the constellations of the sidereal z . . . View Full Definition

Zodiac: The position of the sun during the course of the year as it appears to move though successive constellations. Also, the band where the ecliptic runs centrally through the celestial sphere an . . . View Full Definition

Tropical Signs: Cancer and Capricorn; so-called because they occupy parts of the ecliptic where the Sun reaches its farthest point north (Tropic of Cancer) and south (Tropic of Capricorn). The Sun's ingress . . . View Full Definition

Tropical Prediction Center (TPC): A division of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, the Center issues watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous weather conditions in the tropics for both domestic . . . View Full Definition

Tropical Rain Forest Biome: The most complex and diverse biome; found near the equator in South America and Africa; characterized by thin soils, heavy rainfall, and little fiuctuation in temperature.

Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface winds are from 39 miles per hour (34 knots) to 73 miles per hour (63 knots). At this point, the system is given a name to identify a . . . View Full Definition

Tropical Year: The average period of the revolution of the Earth around the Sun with respect to the vernal equinox. Its length is approximately 3 65.242,2 days. The tropical year determines the cycle of ch . . . View Full Definition

Zodiacal Aspects: Aspects based upon planets' zodiacal longitude as distinguished from parallels and contaparallels, which depend upon declination.

Tropics or Tropical: The region of the earth located between the Tropic of Cancer, at 23.5 degrees North latitude, and the Tropic of Capricorn, at 23.5 degrees South latitude. It encompasses the equatorial regio . . . View Full Definition

Extratropical Cyclone: Any cyclone that is no longer tropical in origin. Generally considered to be a migratory frontal cyclone found in the middle and high latitudes.