Why
are the planets found near the ecliptic?
•The ecliptic is defined by the plane of the
Earth’s orbit
•If the other planets are
always found near the ecliptic, they must always be located
near the plane of the Earth’s orbit – at most slightly above or below it.
•The planes of their orbits around the sun must
almost match the Earth’s
•Their slight motions above and
below the ecliptic means the match isn’t exact. (Their orbits are slightly tilted relative
to ours.)
From our text: Horizons, by Seeds