Orbit (entry exists but has poor description)

(Last edited: Tuesday, 22 August 2023, 1:35 PM)


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Short Definition:
An orbit is a periodical, elliptical trajectory that all objects floating in space follow.

Detailed Definition:
An orbit is the path that objects in space follow in a two-or-more-body system. Everybody in such system revolves around a common center of mass.  Usually, when talking about orbits, we think of two-body systems with one body much bigger than another. It appears like the smaller body is revolving around the larger one, but in fact both are revolving around a common center of mass.

Etymology: from Latin “orbita” meaning path.

Sample Sentence(s):
A new satellite was put in orbit.

Translations:

French:
Orbite

German:
Umlaufbahn

Polish:
Orbita

Swedish:
Bana

Links to Videos/Articles:
https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-knows/what-is-orbit-58.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cUe4oMk69E&list=TLGG8tIphgpDAHkxMzA0MjAyMw&t=1s

» Dictionary of Space Concepts