The word "ecliptic" refers to the apparent path that the sun appears to follow in the sky as seen from Earth. It is the same path that the moon and planets also seem to move along in relation to the background stars. Full definition
On December 13, 2005, a team of astronomers (led by Lynne Allen) announced the discovery of a new planetary body between one - fifth to one half the size of Pluto, found during routine operation of the Canada - France Ecliptic Plane Survey (CFEPS) as part of the Legacy Survey on the Canada France Hawaii Telescope (CFEPS press release). (solstation.com)
However, equal steps in ecliptic longitude are not equal steps in time! (skepticalscience.com)
The observing swathes will overlap at the south and north ecliptic poles, which are points perpendicular to the plane of Earth's orbit. (scientificamerican.com)