Charting the ecliptic
What's Your Sign?
From Earth, the Sun appears in front of Leo during August. If the Sun were not there, Leo would be visible behind it. This is the astronomical origin of the traditional zodiac sign Leo.
Why dates have shifted
The zodiac was established more than 2,000 years ago from Babylonian astronomy and later adopted by Greek and Roman cultures. Earth’s slow axial precession means today’s astronomical constellations no longer exactly match traditional astrological dates.
Guided demonstrationYour birthday
See your sign behind the Sun, then visible six months later.
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August: Leo is behind the Sun. Aquarius is visible at midnight.