What is the Astronomical Definition of Eccentricity?

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Eccentricity in astronomy refers to a measure of how much an orbit deviates from being circular. It is defined mathematically as the ratio of the distance between the foci of an ellipse to its major axis length. A value of zero indicates a perfect circle, while values approaching one indicate more elongated orbits. For accurate definitions, consulting a specialized dictionary or astronomy resource is recommended. Understanding this concept is essential for studying celestial mechanics and orbital dynamics.
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What is eccentricity?
 
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This isn't a homework question is it?
 
J77 if one would like to find this in a dictionary, it would be nice to spell it correctly :smile:
And would read all entries, until one found the one marked "Astronomy" (otherwise, one would get only meanings like weird, erratic, peculiar, ...).
 

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