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Which planet has the most elliptical orbit of the major planets?
SpacePlanets
Quick Answer
Mercury has the most eccentric orbit of the eight major planets. Its path is noticeably more oval than the nearly circular orbits of the outer planets.
The Full Story
Mercury's orbit is the most elongated, or eccentric, among the major planets. Its orbital eccentricity is about 0.206, which is much higher than Earth's roughly 0.017. This means Mercury's distance from the Sun changes more dramatically over the course of a year than any other major planet's does. The planet's unusual orbit also helped astronomers test Einstein's general relativity.
Key Facts
1.Mercury eccentricity: about 0.206
2.Earth eccentricity: about 0.017
3.Mercury's orbit helped test general relativity
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"One planet’s orbit is so lopsided it helped prove Einstein right."