Ecliptic

The ecliptic is the name given to the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun. From the surface of the Earth, its the path followed by the Sun in the sky - and approximately, that of all the planets too. The ecliptic plane is about 23.5 degrees from the equator, defining the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. The relative position of the Moon with respect to the ecliptic defines the criteria for eclipses to occur.