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Johannes Kepler in 1619 first realized that planetary orbits were elliptical rather than circular.

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Which planet does Io orbit?

Io orbits Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system. It is one of the four Galilean moons of Jupiter discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610. Io is known for its volcanic activity and colorful surface.


Is a description of the orbits paths of most planets in your solar system?

According to Keplers first law of 1618 which has not been repealed yet, the planets each move in an elliptical orbit with the Sun occupying one focus. The shape of an ellipse is described by the eccentricity. For low eccentricity such as the planets' orbits have, the orbit is very close to being a circle but the most significant difference is that the Sun is off-centre.


What does a planet in an elliptical orbit need to do to sweep out equal areas in equal amounts of time?

It needs to change its velocity, which of course it does. I know you realize this, but keep in mind that the planet doesn't 'need' to sweep out equal areas of its orbital plane in equal amounts of time. It's a characteristic of elliptical orbits.


What is the shape of the orbits of the planets around the sun?

The planetary orbits of our solar system are considered "elliptical." This includes "circular" orbits, as a circle is a type of ellipse. In astrodynamics, an elliptical orbit and a circular orbit both fit into the description of a Kepler Orbit.


What is the shape of the path of a planet around the sun called?

An eliptical orbit. In theory a planet could also have a circular orbit, but no planet that we know of has a perfectly circular orbit, although some have a nearly circular orbit.

Related Questions

Planetary orbits that are more elliptical have a greater?

variation in distance between the planet and the sun over the course of its orbit, compared to more circular orbits. This can lead to more extreme temperature fluctuations on the planet's surface and potentially affect its climate.


How would the orbits differ if a star and planet were of similar mass to each other?

Two objects of the same mass will also move in elliptical orbits. Whether the two bodies are of the same mass or different, one focus of the elliptical orbit is the center of mass (barycenter).


What is the shape of a typical planet's orbit?

A typical planet's orbit is often elliptical, meaning it is elongated with one focus at the center. The degree of elongation can vary, with some orbits being more circular and others more eccentric.


What is the shape of Neptune's orbit?

Like all other orbits, it is elliptical with the sun at one focus of the ellipse.


Why planets are revolving in elliptical orbits?

Kepler's first law of planetary motion published in 1618 says that the planets travel in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus. Newton's law of gravity and other work he did explains how the Sun's gravity produces ellpitical orbits.


Which planet does Io orbit?

Io orbits Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system. It is one of the four Galilean moons of Jupiter discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610. Io is known for its volcanic activity and colorful surface.


The observation that planets move in elliptical orbits was first made by?

Johannes Kepler in the early 17th century. He developed his three laws of planetary motion, with the first law stating that planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus.


Is a description of the orbits paths of most planets in your solar system?

According to Keplers first law of 1618 which has not been repealed yet, the planets each move in an elliptical orbit with the Sun occupying one focus. The shape of an ellipse is described by the eccentricity. For low eccentricity such as the planets' orbits have, the orbit is very close to being a circle but the most significant difference is that the Sun is off-centre.


What does a planet in an elliptical orbit need to do to sweep out equal areas in equal amounts of time?

It needs to change its velocity, which of course it does. I know you realize this, but keep in mind that the planet doesn't 'need' to sweep out equal areas of its orbital plane in equal amounts of time. It's a characteristic of elliptical orbits.


What is the shape of the orbits of the planets around the sun?

The planetary orbits of our solar system are considered "elliptical." This includes "circular" orbits, as a circle is a type of ellipse. In astrodynamics, an elliptical orbit and a circular orbit both fit into the description of a Kepler Orbit.


What is the shape of the path of a planet around the sun called?

An eliptical orbit. In theory a planet could also have a circular orbit, but no planet that we know of has a perfectly circular orbit, although some have a nearly circular orbit.


Are circles orbits of the planets?

NO!!! The planets do NOT orbit in circles. They orbit the Sun in an ellipsoidal manner. An ellipse has two foci. The Sun lies at one of the foci, the other might be deemed to be a 'blind' focus. The Sun does NOT lie at the centre of the ellipse. Also the satellites(moons) orbit their parent planets in a similar manner. It has also been discovered that the planets in an an ellipsoidal manner. That is as each orbit is completed the planet 'over-shoot' their starting point, and the ellipse does not close . See Johannes Kepler, who gave us the Law of orbiting planets sweeping equal arcs in equal times , in 1602 AD.