The ecliptic itself moves, or rather appears to move. These are examples from the course of one night.

These maps are for reference only. They are meant to illustrate the rotation of the ecliptic.

They are not meant to show the location of the ecliptic or stars on any given night.

Notice how the stars rotate around one point. That point is the yellow star Polaris.

Notice how it stays in the same place throughout the night.

Polaris is known as the "North Star".

Also notice how some stars (Vega, Capella, Deneb) never set.

9:30 PM

12:30 AM

2:30 AM

3:30 AM

7:30 AM (daylight)

9:30 AM (daylight)

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Todd Dugdale,

   Astronomical consultant for the Lunaria Lunar Almanac