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orbit
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Earth's orbit
Understand how the Earth remain stable in orbit around the sun
What causes the seasons?
Planet's orbital plane in relation to the ecliptic Anomaly A-aphelion; B-perihelion; C-centre of the orbit; E-eccentric anomaly; P-planet; S-Sun; V-true anomaly satellite orbits effects of gravity on the Moon and Earth A Poincaré section, or mapThe trajectory, or orbit, of an object x is sampled periodically, as indicated by the blue disk. The rate of change for the object is determined for each intersection of its orbit with the disk, as shown by P(x) and P2(x). This set of values can then be used to analyze the long-term stability of the system. For contrast, note the perfectly periodic orbit of the point o, as indicated by o = P(o).
Study how Earth's gravity influences the Moon in maintaining its rotation in sync, with one side forever facing Earth
Learn about Io, Jupiter's moon with the most active volcanoes in the solar system
Quizzes
View of the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31, M31).
Astronomy and Space Quiz
The orbits of the planets and other elements of the solar system, including asteroids, Kuiper belt, Oort cloud, comet
Space Odyssey
Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.
All About Astronomy
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Colorful winter sunset
What's the Difference Between a Solstice and an Equinox?
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Saint Lucia Day. Young girl wears Lucia crown (tinsel halo) with candles. Holds Saint Lucia Day currant laced saffron buns (lussekatter or Lucia's cats). Observed December 13 honor virgin martyr Santa Lucia (St. Lucy). Luciadagen, Christmas, Sweden
7 Winter Solstice Celebrations From Around the World
Panama Canal infographic
Timeline and Map of the Panama Canal
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The Jeff Koons tulips sculputure outside the Guggenheim Museums in Bilbao, Spain, Basque Country.
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Earth's orbit
Earth's orbit Earth's orbit around the Sun. Earth orbits around the Sun with a period of one year.

orbit

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News •

In the new space race, hackers are hitching a ride into orbit • Nov. 30, 2024, 4:07 AM ET (CNBC)

orbit, in astronomy, path of a body revolving around an attracting centre of mass, as a planet around the Sun or a satellite around a planet. In the 17th century, Johannes Kepler and Isaac Newton discovered the basic physical laws governing orbits; in the 20th century, Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity supplied a more exact description. The orbit of a planet is, if unaffected by the attraction of another planet, elliptical; some elliptical orbits are very nearly circles, while others are much elongated. Some bodies may follow parabolic or hyperbolic paths (open-ended curves). The orbit of a body approaching ...(100 of 577 words)

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