Is the ecliptic the same thing as the celestial equator? explain.

No, the ecliptic are different from the celestial equator as the celestial equator are projection of earth equator. It is inclined from the path of the sun at 23.5 degree. The ecliptic around sun are the plane of the earth orbit and the celestial equator are projected in the sky. The equinoxes are the point where they both are interested.

convex lenses are thicker at the middle. rays of light that pass through the lens are brought closer together (they converge). a convex lens is a converging lens. when parallel rays of light pass through a convex lens the refracted rays converge at one point called the principal focus.