Here's why:
* Ellipse: An ellipse is a closed curve where the sum of the distances from any point on the curve to two fixed points (called the foci) is constant. Planets, moons, and other celestial bodies generally follow elliptical paths around their central star or planet.
* Circle: A circle is a special case of an ellipse where both foci coincide at the center. While some orbits are nearly circular, they are rarely perfectly circular.
* Parabola/Hyperbola: These are open curves, meaning they don't close in on themselves. While some celestial objects can follow these paths, they are less common than elliptical orbits.
Key takeaway: While "oval" might seem like a good description, "ellipse" is the most accurate and scientifically precise term for the shape of an orbit.
