<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article does not cite any sources . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (September 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article does not cite any sources . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (September 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> The lunar nodes are the orbital nodes of the Moon, that is, the points where the orbit of the Moon crosses the ecliptic . The ascending or north node is where the moon crosses from south of the ecliptic to north of the ecliptic . The descending or south node is where it crosses from north of the ecliptic to south of the ecliptic . </P> <P> Eclipses occur only near the lunar nodes: Solar eclipses occur when the passage of the Moon through a node coincides with the new moon; lunar eclipses occur when passage coincides with the full moon . A lunar eclipse may occur if there is a full moon within 11 ° 38' (Celestial Longitude), of a node, and a solar eclipse may occur if there is a new moon within 17 ° 25' of a node . </P>

A node in the moon's orbit is where the moon's path crosses the