The ascending node is one of the orbital nodes, a point in the orbit of an object where it crosses the plane of the ecliptic from the south celestial hemisphere to the north celestial hemisphere in the direction of motion. Because of this, the ascending node of the orbit of the Earth's moon is one of only two places where a lunar or solar eclipse can occur.
The line of nodes is the intersection of the object's orbital plane with the ecliptic, and runs between the ascending and descending nodes.