2007-08-30 14:47:18 · 7 answers · asked by TwiggyRamirez 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Perhaps you meant to ask why planets follow an elliptical orbit (scientists don't have that much control). That's the solution to the orbit according to Newton's law of motion and his inverse square law of gravity. Wiki's pretty good explaining things like that.
2007-08-30 15:39:26 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because that's the shape of the planetary orbits. THis has been known since the 1600's when Brahe and Kepler made observations of the planets and found the orbits weren't circular but elliptic.
2007-08-30 21:57:32 · answer #2 · answered by nyphdinmd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Planets do not orbit in complete circles; they move in a rather elliptical manner due to the different gravity pulls from other objects (planets, etc.).
2007-08-30 21:55:50 · answer #3 · answered by briank1458 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Um, because the planets move in an ellipse rather than a circle?
Seems like it would be better to show their actual path than lie about it.
2007-08-30 21:54:45 · answer #4 · answered by devinthedragon 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Orbits are never perfectly circular.
2007-09-02 20:22:21 · answer #5 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because planets don't orbit in a circular pattern.
2007-08-30 21:55:25 · answer #6 · answered by Helen Scott 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
scientists have no say in it. Nature dictates it.
2007-08-30 21:54:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋