This is one of 17 hand-coloured and decorative terrestrial and celestial engravings published in Paris in 1761, entitled 'Of the zodiac and the Ecliptic'. The text and diagram indicate how the ecliptic is used to predict eclipses. Each engraving presents various astronomical and geographical ideas, with a central diagram, copious text in two columns down either side, and floral, decorative frame-like borders. The subjects covered in these prints demonstrate how closely the disciplines of astronomy and geography were allied at this date, especially when presented as a body of knowledge to be consumed at home. These engravings were luxury goods, a fact which indicates the wealthy audience at which they were aimed.

The engravings were published as double-page spreads within the first volume of the "Atlas Méthodique et Elémentaire de Géographie et d'Histoire" by Claude Buy de Mornas (1761). They were sold by Buy de Mornas (d. 1783), geographer to Louis XVI, and Louis-Charles Desnos (1725-1805), who ran one of the most important French map and globe making enterprises. The topics covered by these prints include exploration, terrestrial and celestial co-ordinates, the seasons, climate and peoples of the world, the Sun, the solar system and its various conceptions over history, the stars and phenomena such as eclipses and parallax.