Concept information
Preferred term
orbit
Definition(s)
- In celestial mechanics, an orbit is the curved trajectory of an object such as the trajectory of a planet around a star, or of a natural satellite around a planet, or of an artificial satellite around an object or position in space such as a planet, moon, asteroid, or Lagrange point. Normally, orbit refers to a regularly repeating trajectory, although it may also refer to a non-repeating trajectory. To a close approximation, planets and satellites follow elliptic orbits, with the center of mass being orbited at a focal point of the ellipse, as described by Kepler's laws of planetary motion. For most situations, orbital motion is adequately approximated by Newtonian mechanics, which explains gravity as a force obeying an inverse-square law. However, Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity, which accounts for gravity as due to curvature of spacetime, with orbits following geodesics, provides a more accurate calculation and understanding of the exact mechanics of orbital motion. (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbit)
Broader concept(s)
Narrower concept(s)
Synonym(s)
- periodic orbit
In other languages
-
French
-
mouvement orbital
-
orbite périodique
URI
http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/MDL-LKQCNBB7-X
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