Celestial mechanics

Celestial mechanics is a division of astronomy dealing with the motions and gravitational effects of celestial objects. The field applies principles of physics, historically Newtonian mechanics, to astronomical objects such as stars and planets.

Related topics

• Astrometry is a part of astronomy and deals with the positions of stars and other celestial bodies, their distances and movements.
• Astrodynamics is the study and creation of orbits, especially those of artificial satellites.
• Orbit is the path that an object makes, around another object, whilst under the influence of a source of centripetal force, such as gravity.
• Satellite is an object that orbits another object (known as its primary). The term is often used to describe an artificial satellite (as opposed to natural satellites, or moons). The common noun moon (not capitalized) is used to mean any natural satellite of the other planets.
• Celestial navigation is a position fixing technique that was the first system devised to help sailors locate themselves on a featureless ocean.