What is Eccentricity of Orbit mean?

Answer 1

Yeah, it's a measure of how elliptical an orbit is. More specifcally, it's the ratio of the distance between the foci of the ellipse of the orbit, and the size of the major axis. Since in a circle, the foci are both at the center, the distance between them is 0, so the eccentricity ratio is 0. Since the foci are always inside the ellipse, the ratio will always be less than 1 for an ellipse.

When an orbit has enough energy to become unbound, eccentricity reaches 1. At this point the orbit is parabolic. However, it's nearly impossible or any orbit to remain this way. As eccentricity increases beyond 1, the orbit becomes hyperbolic. The larger the eccentricity is past 1, the less dramatic the curve of the orbit, eventually reaching a point where it is almost a straight line (out to infinity).

Answer 2

It refers to how far from perfectly round it is. Earth, as all other planets, moves in an erratic eccentric orbit around the sun.

Answer 3

eccentricity of orbit refers to how elliptical a body's orbit is in space. you think of the earth as traveling around the sun in a circular path right? well, other planets travel in a path that's shaped more like a football, or a stretched out oval.

Answer 4

eccentricity of orbit means distance from center of ellpithical path (major axis) & mass arround which settlete is roatating