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Eccentricities:
Mercury 0.206
Venus 0.007
Earth 0.017
Mars 0.093
Jupiter 0.048
Saturn 0.056
Uranus 0.047
Neptune 0.009
Pluto 0.250
Only Venus and Neptune have less eccentric orbits than the Earth.
The planet's orbits is nearly a circle, with the Sun off-centre by a distance equal to the radius times the eccentricity.
The minor axis is equal to the major axis times sqrt(1 - eccentricity-squared).
What else can I help you with?
How do outer planets move?
Their orbital velocity is much slower than the planets closer to the Sun. Their orbits can also be more eccentric.
How is the orbit of asteroids compare to the orbits of planets?
Asteroids generally have more eccentric and inclined orbits compared to planets, which typically have more circular and aligned orbits. Asteroids can intersect the orbits of planets and have a wider range of distances from the sun. Planets, on the other hand, tend to orbit in a more stable and predictable manner.
What are the 4 differences between the comet's orbit and those of most of the planets?
A comets orbit is highly eccentric, spending most of its time far out on the edge of the solar system and occasionally coming in closer to the sun. Planets orbits are more regular, closer to a circular orbit. A comets orbit also crosses the paths of planets, while each of the eight planets have their own orbit and don't cross paths. A comet does not usually orbit the sun on the same plane as the planets. Each of the planets orbits the sun more or less on the same plane. Due to the varying distance from the sun, the orbital speed of a comet varies greatly. Closer to the sun it travels quickly, far out on the edge of the solar system it will move much more slowly.
How does the eccentricity of the earths orbit compare to the eccentricity of the other planets?
The Earth's orbit has a relatively low eccentricity compared to some other planets in our solar system. For example, Mercury and Mars have more eccentric orbits than Earth. Venus and Jupiter have orbits that are almost circular, with very low eccentricities.
Do the inner planets have closely spaced orbits?
Yes, the inner planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars—have relatively closely spaced orbits compared to the outer planets. Their orbits are tighter and more compact, primarily due to their proximity to the Sun. This results in shorter orbital periods and smaller average distances between their orbits compared to the larger, more distant orbits of the outer planets.
Does all planets have elliptical orbits?
Yes, none of the planets in our solar system have exactly circular orbits, though some are more eccentric than others.
How do outer planets move?
Their orbital velocity is much slower than the planets closer to the Sun. Their orbits can also be more eccentric.
How is the orbit of asteroids compare to the orbits of planets?
Asteroids generally have more eccentric and inclined orbits compared to planets, which typically have more circular and aligned orbits. Asteroids can intersect the orbits of planets and have a wider range of distances from the sun. Planets, on the other hand, tend to orbit in a more stable and predictable manner.
If the planets' orbits were circular would their distance from the sun always be the same?
Yes. However, the orbits of all planets are elliptical. Some planets, like Earth, have a very low "eccentricity", which is a measure of how non-circular they are. Earth's orbit is not quite circular, but fairly close. Other planets, like Mars, have more eccentric orbits, and their perihelion and aphelion distances are substantially different.
Which planet has an orbital eccentricity most like the orbital eccentricity of the earth?
The Earths orbit is fairly un-eccentric when compared to the other planets, with only Neptune and Venus having more regular (less eccentric) orbits. The eccentricity of earths orbit is 0.0167, the closest to this is Neptune's, with a value of 0.00859
What is the motion of asteriods?
Like all orbiting bodies, an asteroid moves in an ellipse. Compared to the planets, these orbits have a higher probability of being more eccentric ("stretched out", further from being a circle). That is why some asteroids cross the orbit of the earth. Most asteroids move in near-circular orbits between Mars and Jupiter. A close approach to another asteroid or one of these planets can alter the orbit to a more eccentric one.
What are the 4 differences between the comet's orbit and those of most of the planets?
A comets orbit is highly eccentric, spending most of its time far out on the edge of the solar system and occasionally coming in closer to the sun. Planets orbits are more regular, closer to a circular orbit. A comets orbit also crosses the paths of planets, while each of the eight planets have their own orbit and don't cross paths. A comet does not usually orbit the sun on the same plane as the planets. Each of the planets orbits the sun more or less on the same plane. Due to the varying distance from the sun, the orbital speed of a comet varies greatly. Closer to the sun it travels quickly, far out on the edge of the solar system it will move much more slowly.
Paths in which objects travel around the sun?
Objects in our solar system, including planets, asteroids, and comets, travel around the Sun in elliptical orbits. The planets orbit the Sun in nearly circular paths along a plane known as the ecliptic. Comets and asteroids can have more eccentric and tilted orbits compared to the planets.
How does the eccentricity of the earths orbit compare to the eccentricity of the other planets?
The Earth's orbit has a relatively low eccentricity compared to some other planets in our solar system. For example, Mercury and Mars have more eccentric orbits than Earth. Venus and Jupiter have orbits that are almost circular, with very low eccentricities.
Do the inner planets have closely spaced orbits?
Yes, the inner planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars—have relatively closely spaced orbits compared to the outer planets. Their orbits are tighter and more compact, primarily due to their proximity to the Sun. This results in shorter orbital periods and smaller average distances between their orbits compared to the larger, more distant orbits of the outer planets.
Do all planets have eliptical orbits?
No, not all planets have elliptical orbits. While most planets in our solar system have nearly circular orbits, some planets, like Mercury and Pluto, have more elliptical orbits. Additionally, exoplanets outside our solar system can have a variety of orbital shapes.
Do comets orbit around the sun just like planets?
Yes, they do. But their orbits are highly eccentric. That means that their orbit first takes them very close to the Sun and then very far away, making the orbit very elongated. Also, all the planets orbit the Sun in more-or-less the same plane. ie, All the orbits are in line (Picture a disc). The orbit of most comets, on the other hand, are not in the same plane. Check the images in the related links for a better idea on their orbits.
