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Planets orbit the sun in the shape of an ellipse, which is an elongated circle similar to an oval. When it was first discovered that the Sun is the center of the solar system, it was thought that all the planets had a circular orbit, but the calculations didn't fit.

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What Terrestrial planets are rocky bodies whereas the giant planets consist mostly of gasses with trace amounts of solids?

The "terrestrial planets" are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.


Do planets orbit in a circle around the sun?

One of the most remarkable features of our solar system is that nearly all of the revolutions and rotations are in the same direction. From a point high above the north pole of the solar system the planets are revolving about the sun and rotating about their axes in a counterclockwise direction. This holds true also for the asteroids. If the planets and asteroids were formed from merely random accretions the would be an even mixture of the directions of revolution and rotation. The sun itself also rotates in a counterclockwise direction. The satellites of the planets also generally revolve and rotate in a counterclockwise direction. Of the thirty something satellites only six do not do so; they are said to have retrograde motion. Of the six exceptions five are outer satellites likely to be captured asteroids.Source: applet-magic.com


What is the same about earth and mars?

They are both rocky, relatively the same size and shape, contain water (though mars has only trace amounts). Both have atmospheres, are relatively close to the sun. Both hypothetically capable of supporting life. But if you need to compare them they would be the same.earth similar to mars is sphere shape .


Why do planets appear to move only through the 12 constellations of the zodiac?

Actually, they move through more than 12. Ophiuchus did not count, likely due to astrology and the number of months in a year. There had to be an upper-limit. It is 13, with a slight trace through another constellation, but only 12 are counted as "Zodiacal."


Why do satellites fly in a wave pattern?

You're describing the wavelike line that shows up on the maps at mission control when theyplot the path of the spacecraft that they've just launched.Try to imagine this:The satellite is circling the earth at a constant rate ... say one orbit every couple of hours. At the same time,the earth is rotating under the satellite, one complete spin every 24 hours.Add these two motions together, and you'll see that a point on the ground ... if it always stays directly UNDERthe satellite ... will trace that 'wave' shape on the ground.

Related Questions

Shape of the orbit that planet travels?

The shape of orbits planets travel is usually considered to be elliptical, with the shared center of mass (near the Sun) being one of the foci. Potentially, an orbit could be circular but there is always at least a slight imperfection which elongates the orbit on one axis into an elliptical shape. Examined in even greater detail, the long axis of the ellipse itself also rotates somewhat over long periods of time, an effect partially attributed to effects predicted by General Relativity, and is called apsidal precession; as such the shape of the orbit might be considered to be a complex curve somewhat like a spiral shape. If you were to trace the path as seen from above, over very long periods of time, it might seem somewhat like the outline of petals on a dense flower - with irregularities, bumps and dents caused by transient gravitational interactions with other planets at their closest approach.


The path of an orbit as it moves around the sun?

All orbits are elliptical. Orbitis the path of a body as it moves under the influence of a second body. An example is the path of a planet or comet as it moves around the Sun. Planets and satellites that orbit other bodies trace out a path called an ellipse. An ellipse is a closed curve wherein the sum of the distances from any point on the curve to two internal focal points is constant. In everyday life you probably just call this an oval or an egg-shape.


If you trace around the edge of a tissue box what is the name of the drawn shape?

Rectangle what grade are you in.....


What shape am i if when you trace it you draw a circle?

a circle


What two shapes can you trace from a pyramid?

From a pyramid, you can trace a triangle and a square. The triangular shape comes from the triangular faces of the pyramid, while the square shape is derived from the base of the pyramid, which is typically a square in the case of a square pyramid. If the pyramid has a different base shape, you could trace that corresponding shape instead.


What Terrestrial planets are rocky bodies whereas the giant planets consist mostly of gasses with trace amounts of solids?

The "terrestrial planets" are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.


Do planets orbit in a circle around the sun?

One of the most remarkable features of our solar system is that nearly all of the revolutions and rotations are in the same direction. From a point high above the north pole of the solar system the planets are revolving about the sun and rotating about their axes in a counterclockwise direction. This holds true also for the asteroids. If the planets and asteroids were formed from merely random accretions the would be an even mixture of the directions of revolution and rotation. The sun itself also rotates in a counterclockwise direction. The satellites of the planets also generally revolve and rotate in a counterclockwise direction. Of the thirty something satellites only six do not do so; they are said to have retrograde motion. Of the six exceptions five are outer satellites likely to be captured asteroids.Source: applet-magic.com


How to Copy a curve shape onto wood?

To coy a curved shape into wood, first get yourself a stencil. You can then trace the shape and cut it out.


Do all planets have atmaspheres?

No. They all do except for Mercury. Even Mercury has a tiny trace of an atmosphere.


How do you know what shape face you have?

trace your face in the mirror it with a washible marker


If you trace this shape six times you make a cube what shape is it?

Square? a cube has 6 sides each are squares.


What is the same about earth and mars?

They are both rocky, relatively the same size and shape, contain water (though mars has only trace amounts). Both have atmospheres, are relatively close to the sun. Both hypothetically capable of supporting life. But if you need to compare them they would be the same.earth similar to mars is sphere shape .