In celestial mechanics, an orbit is the curved trajectory of an object under the influence of an attracting force. Alternatively, it is known as an orbital revolution, because it is a rotation around
The Earth-centered universe according to Ptolemy; illustration by Andreas Cellarius from Harmonia Macrocosmica, 1660
Orbit determination is the estimation of orbits of objects such as moons, planets, and spacecraft. One major application is to allow tracking newly observed asteroids and verify that they have not bee
Diagram showing how orbit-determination data was handled in a 1962 NASA mission. (Of historical interest only.)