Why do planets like Mars and Jupiter typically appear near the ecliptic?
Answer
The solar system is organized as a flat disk with planets orbiting in a similar plane
During the formation of the solar system, gas and dust settled into a rotating, flat disk. Because the planets coalesced within this disk, their orbits are mostly aligned on the same general plane. Consequently, when observing the night sky, planets are consistently found near the ecliptic rather than scattered randomly near the celestial poles. This makes the ecliptic a primary guide for astronomers and observers looking to locate solar system bodies.
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