Most large objects in orbit around the Sun lie near the plane of Earth's orbit, known as the ecliptic. The planets are very close to the ecliptic, whereas comets and Kuiper belt objects are frequently at significantly greater angles to it. As a result of the formation of the Solar System, planets (and most other objects) orbit the Sun in the same direction that the Sun is rotating (counter-clockwise, as viewed from above Earth's north pole). There are exceptions, such as Halley's Comet. Most of the larger moons orbit their planets in this "prograde" direction (with Triton being the largest "retrograde" exception) and most larger objects rotate themselves in the same direction (with Venus being a notable "retrograde" exception).