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Orbit
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images & Videos
Diagram showing Earth's elliptical orbit around the Sun with labeled points for aphelion, perihelion, solstices, and equinoxes, and distances from the Sun at aphelion and perihelion.
Understand how the Earth remain stable in orbit around the sun
A large tree with leaves turning orange in fall.
Planet's orbital plane in relation to the ecliptic A diagram of a planet's elliptical orbit around the Sun, labeled with key points: A for aphelion, B for perihelion, C for the center, S for the Sun, P for the planet, V for true anomaly, and E for eccentric anomaly, with lines and angles illustrating their relationships. Diagram showing types of Earth orbit categorized by inclination (equatorial, polar, inclined), shape (circular, elliptical), and altitude (low Earth, medium Earth, geostationary), with labeled illustrations of satellite paths around the planet. Diagram showing the Moon orbiting Earth, with arrows illustrating gravitational forces between them and how gravity alters the Moon's natural path, resulting in its curved orbit around the planet. Poincaré section, or map
Study how Earth's gravity influences the Moon in maintaining its rotation in sync, with one side forever facing Earth
Learn about Io, Jupiter's moon with the most active volcanoes in the solar system
Quizzes
View of the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31, M31).
Astronomy and Space Quiz
The orbits of the planets and other elements of the solar system, including asteroids, Kuiper belt, Oort cloud, comet
Space Odyssey
Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.
All About Astronomy

Orbit: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

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  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Article title updated for style. Nov 09, 2026
Modified link of Web site: NASA Science - Orbits and Kepler�s Laws. May 28, 2024
Add new Web site: National Geographic - Orbit. Mar 19, 2024
Media added. Aug 15, 2023
Add new Web site: NASA Science - Orbits and Kepler�s Laws. Aug 22, 2022
Add new Web site: ESA Kids - Different orbits. Aug 10, 2016
Add new Web site: Polaris Project - Types of Orbit. Aug 08, 2016
Add new Web site: Polaris Project - Types of Orbit. Aug 08, 2016
Add new Web site: NASA - What is an Orbit? Aug 08, 2016
Added video about the stability of the solar system. Dec 03, 2015
Add new Web site: Hyperphysics - Kepler's Laws. Nov 26, 2012
Add new Web site: Hyperphysics - Kepler's Laws. Nov 26, 2012
Illustration of Earth's orbit added. Aug 09, 2011
Added new Web site: Astronomy Education at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln - Planetary Orbits Lab. May 19, 2008
Added new Web site: MacTutor History of Mathematics archive - Orbits and Gravitation.
  • Gaurav Shukla
 Nov 21, 2006
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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