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Concept information

Preferred term

elliptic orbit  

Definition

  • In astrodynamics or celestial mechanics, an elliptic orbit or elliptical orbit is a Kepler orbit with an eccentricity of less than 1; this includes the special case of a circular orbit, with eccentricity equal to 0. In a stricter sense, it is a Kepler orbit with the eccentricity greater than 0 and less than 1 (thus excluding the circular orbit). In a wider sense, it is a Kepler orbit with negative energy. This includes the radial elliptic orbit, with eccentricity equal to 1. (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliptic_orbit)

Broader concept

Entry terms

  • elliptical orbit

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URI

http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/MDL-CTMNDDBS-Q

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