Central body - Definition and Overview

In astrodynamics a central body (<math>m_1\,<math>) is a body that is being orbited by orbiting body(<math>m_2\,<math>). Under standard assumptions in astrodynamics:

• it is orders of magnitude heavier than orbiting body (i.e. <math>m_1<
• it is a center of an inertial frame of reference for orbiting body,
• it is in the focus (or one of the two) of the orbiting body's orbit.

See also

• Orbiting body
• Standard assumptions in astrodynamics