Solar System – Activity 3

What is a satellite? What is the satellite in this model? What is an orbit? What does the ball orbit around in this model? A satellite is an object that travels around a larger object. An orbit is the path the satellite takes around an object.

… if you were to draw the orbit of this satellite? A circle.

But, me first. Now it is your turn. To start, we must first set up your circle drawing system.

FOCUS A FOCUS is the center point of a circle. What letter labels the focus of your circle? C FOCUS Every point on the circle is an equal distance away from the FOCUS.

… they are elliptical. ELLIPSE An ELLIPSE is a flattened or squished circle.

FOCIFOCUS … you use two FOCI rather than one FOCUS. SX Let’s draw an ellipse.

This is because the orbit is shaped by the interactions of gravitational pull among the many objects (planets, moons, asteroid belts, etc.) in the Solar System.