Zodiac

Zodiac, band of the heavens whose outer limits lie 9° on each side of the ecliptic. The 12 main constellations near the eclipse, corresponding to the 12 signs of the zodiac, are Aries; Taurus; Gemini; Cancer; Leo; Virgo; Libra; Scorpio; Sagittarius; Capricorn; Aquarius; Pisces. The orbits of all the planets except Pluto lie within the zodiac, and their positions, as that of the sun, are important in astronomy and astrology. The 12 signs are each equivalent to 30° of arc along the zodiac.

See also: Astrology; Constellation.