Why is the ecliptic path central to the occurrence of eclipses?

Answer

Solar and lunar eclipses only happen when the Moon crosses this plane

Eclipses, involving the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, can only take place if the Moon intersects the plane of Earth's orbit, which is the ecliptic.

Why is the ecliptic path central to the occurrence of eclipses?

#Videos

The Ecliptic: Crash Course Kids #37.2 - YouTube

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