Editing Lunar node (section)

===Declination extremes===
{{see also|Lunar standstill}}

The Moon's orbit is inclined about 5.14° to the [[ecliptic]]; hence, the Moon can be up to about 5° north or south of the ecliptic. The ecliptic is inclined about 23.44° to the [[celestial equator]], whose plane is [[perpendicular]] to the rotational axis of Earth. As a result, once during the 18.6-year nodal period (when the ascending node of the Moon's orbit coincides with the [[Equinox (celestial coordinates)|vernal equinox]]), the Moon's [[declination]] reaches a maximum and minimum (northern and southern extremes): about 28.6° from the celestial equator. Therefore, the moonrise or moonset [[azimuth]] has its northern- and southernmost points on the horizon; the Moon at [[culmination]] has its lowest and highest [[altitude]] (when the body transits the [[meridian (astronomy)|meridian]]); and first sightings of the [[new moon]] potentially have their latest times. Furthermore, [[occultation]]s by the Moon of the [[Pleiades]] star cluster, which is over 4° north of the ecliptic, occur during a comparatively brief period once every nodal period.