Plane (cosmology)

A plane in cosmology is like a big flat surface that scientists use to measure how things are moving in space. Imagine you're playing a game of "follow the leader" with your friends on a playground. Your friends are running around in all different directions, but you notice that some of them are running in lines that go straight across the playground, almost like they're following a line on the ground.

In the same way, scientists have noticed that some galaxies in space are all moving in a similar direction, almost like they're following a line. This line is called the "plane of the ecliptic," and it helps scientists study how galaxies move and interact with each other.

Think of it like this: imagine you're playing a game of dodgeball with your friends in a big field. You're all trying to throw the ball at each other and dodge when someone throws it at you. But you notice that some of your friends are standing in a line, almost like they're working together to throw the ball and make it harder for you to dodge.

In the same way, the plane of the ecliptic is like a big line in space that some galaxies are moving along. Scientists study this plane to learn more about how galaxies move and how they might be interacting with each other.