Orbits

The motion of a massive body around another body, governed by the force of gravity. Planets in our solar system follow an orbit around the Sun, as first noted by Johannes Kepler, in the shape of an ellipse. An orbit is actually composed of two motions: one directly toward the other body (planet or star...) and the another that points away. In the case of a circular orbit, these two component motions are orthogonal (90 degrees apart, or at right angles). Einstein would say that an orbit is actually a geodisc in space -- time, formed by the interaction between space and the mass of the two bodies.

Radio Programs

Venus and Jupiter II "Wandering" through the morning sky Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Venus and Jupiter A rendezvous in the dawn sky Monday, January 28, 2008
Messenger at Mercury A first date for a mercurial messenger Sunday, January 13, 2008
Earth at Perihelion A tricky bit of stellar geography Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Featured Images

Kidnapped? Friday, August 4, 2006

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