Planetary orbits refer to the paths that planets take as they move around a star, such as the Sun. These orbits are generally elliptical in shape, meaning they are oval rather than perfectly circular. The gravitational pull of the star keeps the planets in their orbits, balancing the forward motion of the planets with the force of gravity. Each planet's orbit has a specific period, which is the time it takes to complete one full revolution around the star. For example, Earth takes about 365 days to orbit the Sun, while Mars takes about 687 days. The distance from the star and the planet's speed determine the characteristics of its orbit.