Understanding Kepler's First Law and Elliptical Orbits

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video explores Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion, explaining that planets orbit the sun in elliptical paths rather than perfect circles. It begins by defining the etymology of the word "planet" and contrasting ancient observations of stars versus planets. The narrator creates a clear distinction between the circular orbits proposed by Copernicus and the elliptical reality discovered by Johannes Kepler, using visual aids to demonstrate the geometry of an ellipse, including its two foci.