• Orbits are NOT perfect circles

• Orbits are Elliptical

• One focus point in a planet's orbit is always the sun.

• The second focus point is a mathematically calculated spot in space.​

Kepler's 1st Law

• Eccentricity is the measure of how elliptical an orbit is.

• Always a value between 0-1

  • 0 = ​perfect circle

  • 1 = flat line

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Calculating Eccentricity Equation:​

Calculating Eccentricity​

You will need a calculator for a few questions in this next section!

Observe the velocity of this planet in orbit. What do you notice?

Some text here about the topic of discussion

States that a planet speeds up as it gets closer to the Sun, and slows down as it moves farther away.

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• This is due to the gravitational attraction increasing as the planet approaches the sun

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• This causes velocity to also increase.

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Kepler's Second Law

There is one more law of Planetary Motion!