What is an Orbit?
✅ Definition:
An orbit is the curved path that an object follows as it moves around another object in space due to gravity.
📌 Orbits are usually elliptical (oval-shaped), not perfect circles.
🚀 In Simple Words:
When one object in space, like a planet, moon, or satellite, moves around another object like a star or planet, it’s following an orbit.
🧲 What Causes Orbits?
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Gravity is the main force that pulls the object toward the center.
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Speed keeps the object moving forward, so instead of crashing, it keeps going around.
🌀 Example:
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The Earth orbits the Sun → takes 365 days (1 year)
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The Moon orbits Earth → takes about 27.3 days
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Satellites orbit Earth → used for GPS, weather, internet, etc.
🔄 Types of Orbits:
| Type of Orbit | What it Means |
|---|---|
| Planetary Orbit | Planets moving around stars (e.g., Earth around the Sun) |
| Lunar Orbit | Moons orbiting planets (e.g., Moon around Earth) |
| Satellite Orbit | Human-made satellites moving around Earth or other planets |
| Geostationary Orbit | A satellite stays fixed above the same point on Earth |
🌠 Fun Facts:
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Astronauts in space stations are in orbit around Earth — they don’t float because there’s no gravity, but because they’re in free fall.
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Orbits can change shape due to gravitational forces of other bodies.
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The first artificial satellite to orbit Earth was Sputnik 1 in 1957.
📌 Summary:
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| What is an orbit? | A curved path around a larger object |
| What causes it? | Balance of gravity and motion (inertia) |
| Common examples | Earth around Sun, Moon around Earth, satellites in space |