orbit

In science, an orbit is the path that an object follows around another object in space. The object that is being orbited is called the central body. The object that is doing the orbiting is called the satellite.

The Earth orbits the Sun, the Moon orbits the Earth, and planets orbit stars. Satellites can also orbit planets, moons, or other satellites.

The shape of an orbit is always elliptical. This means that it is like an oval, with one end being closer to the central body than the other. The closer the satellite is to the central body, the faster it travels.

The force of gravity keeps an object in orbit. Gravity is the force that attracts two objects towards each other. The more massive an object is, the stronger its gravitational pull. The Sun is very massive, so it has a strong gravitational pull on the Earth. This is why the Earth orbits the Sun.

Orbits are elliptical, meaning that they are oval-shaped.