Eclipse and Ecliptic . ... Credit Copyright: Thierry Legault Explanation: When a Full Moon lies near the ecliptic there can be a lunar eclipse . That cosmic alignment is well illustrated in this composite of eclipse images recorded last Saturday near Paris, France. The projection of the ecliptic plane , the plane of planet Earth's orbit around the Sun, is traced by the long blue line running diagonally through the picture. ... NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers . ...