Brisban has returned!  I know you are glad to see me again, so without preamble, we are trying to answer the question: What exactly is the ecliptic?

Hello Mr. Brisban, what is a preamble?

It's what the two of you are when you annoy me.

Oh.

As I was saying, the ecliptic is the plane that the earth lies on as it orbits the sun.  Another definition of the ecliptic is an imaginary plane that intersects the centers of both the earth and the sun.  To help you understand I will now demonstrate why some call me Lord Brisban.

Who calls you that?

Important people, now be quiet.