Orbit

An orbit is the route that one object in space takes around another due to gravitational forces. In astronomy, it usually refers to the movement of celestial bodies, such as planets, moons, or artificial satellites, as they orbit larger bodies, like stars or planets.
For example, Earth orbits the Sun once every 365.25 days, which defines the length of a year. The Moon orbits Earth every 27.3 days. Although the difference is minimal for most objects, these orbits are elliptical rather than precisely circular.
Physical rules, specifically Kepler's laws of planetary motion and Newton's law of universal gravity, govern orbits. These laws describe how objects travel in orbits based on their mass, the distance between them, and the forces at play.
Satellites, space stations, and other spacecraft use artificial orbits as well as natural orbits. Specialised purposes such as communication, weather monitoring, and scientific research utilise these orbits. Artificial orbits are classified into three types: low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary orbit (GEO), each providing a particular function dependent on altitude and speed.