Which of the following best defines the ecliptic?
A)the plane that is perpendicular to the Earth's axis of rotation
B)the projection of the Earth's equator onto the sky
C)the path traced out by the Moon in our sky in one month against the background stars
D)the path traced out by the Sun in our sky over one year against the background stars

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ecliptic is the path traced out by the Sun in our sky over one year against the background stars. It is the apparent annual path of the Sun through the sky, as seen from Earth. The ecliptic is important in astronomy because all of the planets in the solar system orbit the Sun roughly in the same plane as the ecliptic.

Which of the Following Best Defines the Ecliptic