The laws of planetary motion

The laws of planetary motion, formulated by Johannes Kepler, describe how planets move around the Sun. First, planets follow elliptical (oval-shaped) orbits with the Sun at one focus. Second, planets sweep out equal areas in equal times, meaning they move faster when closer to the Sun and slower when farther away. Third, a planet’s orbital period (year length) relates to its distance from the Sun—further planets take longer to orbit. These laws reveal the predictable, gravitationally governed paths of planets, enhancing our understanding of celestial mechanics without assuming perfect circles or uniform speeds.