Orbits
The Moon orbits the Earth because Earth's gravity pulls it. Earth orbits the Sun because the Sun's gravity pulls Earth.
Artificial satellites
We launch satellites that orbit Earth too. They give us GPS, weather forecasts, TV signals and phone calls.
Why don't they fall?
Satellites are actually falling — but moving sideways so fast that they keep missing the Earth! That's an orbit.
🔑 Key Terms
- Orbit
- The curved path one object takes around another due to gravity.
- Satellite
- An object that orbits a planet (can be natural like the Moon, or made by humans).
Did you know?
There are over 8,000 working satellites orbiting Earth right now!
Try it at home: Swing a sock
- Put a small soft toy in a sock.
- Hold the open end and swing it in a circle above your head (outside, safely!).
- The string is like gravity — without it, the sock would fly off in a straight line.