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An '''orbit''' is an object's rotation around another. Orbits are caused by the [[gravity]] of a large mass attracting a smaller mass. The smaller mass is prevented from falling into the large mass by a large [[velocity]] perpendicular to the object it is orbiting around. The concept of orbiting in the solar system has changed drastically over time. [[Scientists]] assumed that the orbits of [[planet]]s observable in [[Kepler]]'s times were circular. Kepler was the first to propose that the planets' orbits were elliptical, thus improving the accuracy and prediction-value of the heliocentric view of the solar system. [[Comet]]s, on the other hand, have highly [[eccentric]] orbits with only one [[focal point]] inside the [[Sun]].

An '''orbit''' is an object's rotation around another. Orbits are caused by the [[gravity]] of a large mass attracting a smaller mass. The smaller mass is prevented from falling into the large mass by a large [[velocity]] perpendicular to the object it is orbiting around. The concept of orbiting in the solar system has changed drastically over time. [[Astronomy|Astronomers]] before [[Tycho]] and [[Kepler]] assumed that the orbits of observable [[planet]]s were circular. Kepler was the first to propose that the planets' orbits were elliptical.

The orbit of the [[Moon]] is nearly a perfect circle, but due to its high relative mass the focus of its orbit (its barycenter) is actually closer to the Earth's surface than it is to the exact center of the Earth.

The orbit of the [[Moon]] is nearly a perfect circle, but due to its high relative mass the focus of its orbit (its barycenter) is actually closer to the Earth's surface than it is to the exact center of the Earth.

[[category:physics]]

[[category:physics]]