The ecliptic coordinate system is a celestial coordinate system that uses the ecliptic for its fundamental plane. The ecliptic is the path that the sun appears to follow across the celestial sphere over the course of a year. It is also the intersection of the Earth's orbital plane and the celestial sphere. The latitudinal angle is called the ecliptic latitude or celestial latitude (denoted β), measured positive towards the north. The longitudinal angle is called the ecliptic longitude or celestial longitude (denoted λ), measured eastwards from 0° to 360°. Like right ascension in the equatorial coordinate system, 0° ecliptic longitude is pointing towards the Sun from the Earth at the Northern hemisphere vernal equinox. This choice makes the coordinates of the fixed stars subject to shifts due to the precession, so that always a reference epoch should be specified. Usually epoch J2000.0 is taken, but the instantaneous equinox of the day (called the epoch of date) is possible too.

Die ekliptikale Breite ß ist eine der zwei Himmelskoordinaten des ekliptikalen Koordinatensystems.