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Planets orbit the sun in the shape of an ellipse, which is an elongated circle similar to an oval. When it was first discovered that the Sun is the center of the solar system, it was thought that all the planets had a circular orbit, but the calculations didn't fit.

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Planets orbit around the sun in an elliptical shape. This means their orbit forms a slightly flattened circle, rather than a perfect circle. The sun is located at one of the two foci of the ellipse.

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Q: What shape do planets trace as they orbit around the sun?
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What Terrestrial planets are rocky bodies whereas the giant planets consist mostly of gasses with trace amounts of solids?

The "terrestrial planets" are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.


Do planets orbit in a circle around the sun?

NO!!! They orbit in an ellipsoidal fashion. From a given starting point the planet will trace an ellipse back toi its original starting point. However, that ellipse orbit doesn't quite close up, but overlaps, hence the word. ellipsoidal'. This was first observed by Mercury's track about the Sun. The Sun lies at one of the foci (Not focuses), of the ellipse. The other focus may be though of as a 'blind' focus. The Sun does NOT lie at the centre of the ellipose. This ellipse can stretch to a long narrow ellipse, or 'fatten' to a nearly circular ellipose. All this occurs over thousands of years. Have a search in Wikipedia , for Johannes Kepler and separatelt Milutin Milankovic(h).


What is the same about earth and mars?

They are both rocky, relatively the same size and shape, contain water (though mars has only trace amounts). Both have atmospheres, are relatively close to the sun. Both hypothetically capable of supporting life. But if you need to compare them they would be the same.earth similar to mars is sphere shape .


Why do planets appear to move only through the 12 constellations of the zodiac?

Planets appear to move through the 12 constellations of the zodiac due to the Earth's orbit around the Sun. This creates the illusion of planets moving against the backdrop of fixed stars in the sky. The zodiac is a convenient way to track and describe this apparent movement of celestial bodies.


Why do satellites fly in a wave pattern?

Satellites do not fly in a wave pattern. They typically orbit in a circular or elliptical path around the Earth known as an orbit. This orbit is determined by the satellite's speed and the gravitational pull of the Earth.

Related questions

Shape of the orbit that planet travels?

The shape of a planet's orbit is elliptical, resembling a flattened circle. This means that the planet follows an oval-shaped path around its star, with the star located at one of the two foci of the ellipse. The eccentricity of the ellipse determines how elongated or circular the orbit appears.


The path of an orbit as it moves around the sun?

All orbits are elliptical. Orbitis the path of a body as it moves under the influence of a second body. An example is the path of a planet or comet as it moves around the Sun. Planets and satellites that orbit other bodies trace out a path called an ellipse. An ellipse is a closed curve wherein the sum of the distances from any point on the curve to two internal focal points is constant. In everyday life you probably just call this an oval or an egg-shape.


If you trace around the edge of a tissue box what is the name of the drawn shape?

Rectangle what grade are you in.....


What shape am i if when you trace it you draw a circle?

a circle


What Terrestrial planets are rocky bodies whereas the giant planets consist mostly of gasses with trace amounts of solids?

The "terrestrial planets" are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.


Do planets orbit in a circle around the sun?

NO!!! They orbit in an ellipsoidal fashion. From a given starting point the planet will trace an ellipse back toi its original starting point. However, that ellipse orbit doesn't quite close up, but overlaps, hence the word. ellipsoidal'. This was first observed by Mercury's track about the Sun. The Sun lies at one of the foci (Not focuses), of the ellipse. The other focus may be though of as a 'blind' focus. The Sun does NOT lie at the centre of the ellipose. This ellipse can stretch to a long narrow ellipse, or 'fatten' to a nearly circular ellipose. All this occurs over thousands of years. Have a search in Wikipedia , for Johannes Kepler and separatelt Milutin Milankovic(h).


How to Copy a curve shape onto wood?

To coy a curved shape into wood, first get yourself a stencil. You can then trace the shape and cut it out.


Do all planets have atmaspheres?

No. They all do except for Mercury. Even Mercury has a tiny trace of an atmosphere.


How do you know what shape face you have?

trace your face in the mirror it with a washible marker


If you trace this shape six times you make a cube what shape is it?

Square? a cube has 6 sides each are squares.


What is the same about earth and mars?

They are both rocky, relatively the same size and shape, contain water (though mars has only trace amounts). Both have atmospheres, are relatively close to the sun. Both hypothetically capable of supporting life. But if you need to compare them they would be the same.earth similar to mars is sphere shape .


Why do planets appear to move only through the 12 constellations of the zodiac?

Planets appear to move through the 12 constellations of the zodiac due to the Earth's orbit around the Sun. This creates the illusion of planets moving against the backdrop of fixed stars in the sky. The zodiac is a convenient way to track and describe this apparent movement of celestial bodies.