Viewing page 4 of 117

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[image]]

What is an Orbit?

An orbit is simply the path an object travels on as it revolves around another body in space.

The shuttle's orbit can be thought of as a fixed racetrack in space that the shuttle follows over and over again.

[[image]]

Examples of Orbits

Solar System

The Earth and all the planets of our Solar System orbit around the Sun. While the Earth orbits the Sun, other objects can be in orbit around it.

[[image]]

Interesting Facts:

1) It takes the Earth 365 days to make one orbit around the Sun.

2) It takes the moon 29 1/2 days to make one orbit around the Earth at a distance of 240,000 miles.

7/17/96

Page 6.3