What term describes the apparent path of the sun traced out on the celestial sphere due to the earth's orbit?

The term that describes the apparent path of the sun traced out on the celestial sphere due to the earth's orbit is the ecliptic. This path represents the plane of Earth's orbit around the sun, extending out into space and forming an angle with the celestial equator. The ecliptic is significant for understanding the positions of celestial bodies and the changing seasons, as it marks the locations of the sun at different times of the year.

The celestial equator refers to an imaginary line that divides the celestial sphere into the northern and southern hemispheres; it is not specifically related to the sun's apparent motion. The celestial meridian is a vertical circle that intersects both the north and south celestial poles and is used for determining the position of stars and planets in the sky, rather than tracing the sun's path. The horizon is the line where the sky seems to meet the earth, influencing our perspective but not describing the sun's path in relation to the celestial sphere. Thus, ecliptic is the only term that accurately captures the sun's trajectory as observed from Earth.