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What do you think is the reason scientists use an ellipse rather than a circle as

the model for a planetary orbit?

1 Answer

11 votes

Answer:

Newton's laws of motion and gravity explained Earth's annual journey around the Sun. Earth would move straight forward through the universe, but the Sun exerts a constant pull on our planet. This force bends Earth's path toward the Sun, pulling the planet into an elliptical (almost circular) orbit.

User Scott Robey
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