Question

Which statement about the ecliptic is FALSE?

a. The Moon can never leave it, but moves twelve times faster than the Sun
b. The Sun appears to move about a degree per day eastward long it
c. It is tilted 23.5 degrees with respect to the equator
d. The year is marked by the Sun's return to the same place along it
e. The major planets stay close to it, but not always on it

Answer 1

The false statement about the ecliptic is that the Moon can never leave it but moves twelve times faster than the Sun, as the Moon actually moves around 5 degrees north or south of the ecliptic and can leave it.

Step-by-step explanation:

The false statement about the ecliptic is "a. The Moon can never leave it, but moves twelve times faster than the Sun." The Moon does not stay exactly on the ecliptic but moves around 5 degrees north or south of it because its orbit is inclined with respect to the ecliptic. As it orbits Earth, the Moon's path intersects the ecliptic at two points called the nodes; eclipses can only occur when the Sun is near one of these nodes.

The other statements provided are true: b. The Sun does appear to move eastward along the ecliptic by about a degree per day. c. The ecliptic is indeed tilted at 23.5 degrees with respect to the celestial equator. d. The year is marked by the Sun's return to the same place along the ecliptic. e. The major planets stay close to the ecliptic, illustrating that the solar system is relatively flat.