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
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