Orbit
hideIn physics, an orbit is the gravitationally curved path of one object around a point or another body, for example the gravitational orbit of a planet around a star.
Historically, the apparent motion of the planets were first understood in terms of epicycles, which are the sums of numerous circular motions. This predicted the path of the planets quite well, until Johannes Kepler was able to show that the motion of the planets were in fact elliptical motions.[citation needed] Isaac Newton was able to prove that this was equivalent to an inverse square, instantaneously propagating force he called gravitation.[citation needed] Albert Einstein later was able to show that gravity is due to curvature of space-time, and that orbits lie upon geodesics. This is the current understanding.
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News tagged with orbit
Largest Ring Around Saturn Discovered
Oct 07, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has discovered an enormous ring around Saturn -- by far the largest of the giant planet's many rings.
New NASA temperature maps provide 'whole new way of seeing the moon'
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Sep 17, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA's first-ever moon temperature-mapping effort has returned its first data.
Double engine for a nebula
Aug 05, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- The new image, showing a very rich field of stars towards the Carina arm of the Milky Way, is centred on the star HD 87643, a member of the exotic class of B[e] stars [1]. It is part of a ...
Gravity wells could provide 'parking lots' for spaceships
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Jul 15, 2009 |
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Nature has provided five huge rest stops far out in space for the convenience of spacecraft traveling from Earth. Some NASA folks call them "parking lots" in space.
GPS System Could Start Failing by Next Year
May 20, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- A federal watchdog agency has warned the U.S. Congress that the GPS system could start failing in 2010 and beyond. Due to delays in launching replacement satellites and other circumstances, ...
Predicted Planet Seen -- First Since Neptune 162 Years Ago
Dec 09, 2008 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- In 2006, astronomer Alice Quillen of the University of Rochester predicted that a planet of a particular size and orbit must lie within the dust of a nearby star. That planet has now been photographed by ...
Discovery of a Retrograde or Highly Tilted Extrasolar Planet
Nov 18, 2009 |
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Astronomers have found that the extrasolar planet HAT-P-7b has a retrograde or highly tilted orbit. Studying such planets is important in understanding the diversity of planetary systems and assessing current ...
The Hot Saturn Exoplanet
Oct 02, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Of the roughly 350 known exoplanets (i.e., extrasolar planets), the one orbiting the star HD149026 is unique.
Ganymede makes big impression on Jupiter's auroral lightshows (w/ Video)
Sep 18, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Studies of features in Jupiter’s spectacular and rapidly changing aurorae have given new insights into the complex electromagnetic interactions between the giant planet and two of its innermost ...
New Transient Radiation Belt Discovered at Saturn
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Sep 14, 2009 |
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Scientists using the Cassini spacecraft's Magnetospheric Imaging instrument (MIMI) have detected a new, temporary radiation belt at Saturn, located around the orbit of its moon Dione at about 377 000 km ...
Scientists cool gas by laser bombardment
Sep 02, 2009 |
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Three decades ago, American and Finnish scientists came up with a very powerful method for cooling gases by "laser bombardment." Only now were physicists at the University of Bonn able to demonstrate that it actually works. ...
Longest Solar Eclipse of the 21st Century
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Jul 21, 2009 |
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One one-thousand, 2 one-thousand, 3 one-thousand, 4 one-thousand... Continue counting and don't stop until you reach 399 one-thousand.
LROC's first look at the Apollo landing sites
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Jul 17, 2009 |
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The imaging system on board NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) recently had its first of many opportunities to photograph the Apollo landing sites. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) imaged ...
Web site recreates Apollo 11 mission in real time
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Jul 13, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Families crowded around black-and-white television sets in 1969 to watch Neil Armstrong take man's first steps on the moon.
Galileo's notebooks may reveal secrets of new planet
Jul 09, 2009 |
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Galileo knew he had discovered a new planet in 1613, 234 years before its official discovery date, according to a new theory by a University of Melbourne physicist.
