Internet Encyclopedia of Science
CELESTIAL MECHANICS
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

                   HOME
ABOUT
CATEGORIES
COPYRIGHT
NEWSLETTER

  



circular orbit



circular orbit
Any orbit that has an eccentricity of zero – an ideal condition that is seldom if ever actually achieved. The velocity v needed to maintain such an orbit, known as the circular velocity, is given by v = √{G(M + m)/R}, where m and M are the masses of the orbiting object and the central body, respectively, R is the radius of the orbit, and G is the gravitational constant.


Related category

   • CELESTIAL MECHANICS


Also on this site:

Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History



BACK TO TOP