Out of the following options, which plane is considered as the fundamental plane of the Ecliptic Coordinate system?

Celestial Horizon

Celestial Equator

Ecliptic Plane

Earth�s equatorial plane

Correct Answer : Ecliptic Plane

Explanation : The Ecliptic plane is the fundamental reference plane of the Ecliptic Coordinate system. The Ecliptic plane is the plane representing the Sun’s path of travel around the Earth in the Celestial sphere. In the Celestial sphere, the Earth is located at the center and is fixed. The Sun revolves around the Earth in a pre-defined path, which is known as the Ecliptic plane.

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How many rotations are required to transform the ECI coordinate system to the perifocal system?

Correct Answer : Option (D) : 3

Explanation : The coordinate transformation from XYZ frame to X’Y’Z’ frame is carried out by a single rotation about one axis. The other two axes remain in the same plane. But to transform from the ECI coordinate system to the perifocal system, there have to be successive 3 rotations. The first rotation is about Z axis, second is through X’ axis and the final rotation is bout Z’’ axis.