How does the speed of an orbiting object relate to its distance from a star or planet?

The relationship between the speed of an orbiting object and its distance from a star or planet is fundamentally rooted in gravitational dynamics. In the realm of orbital mechanics, when an object orbits a star or planet, it is influenced by the gravitational force exerted by that body. This gravitational force is stronger when the object is closer, which means that the object experiences a higher acceleration.

As a result, objects that are nearer to the star or planet need to move at higher speeds to counterbalance this stronger gravitational pull and maintain a stable orbit. If they were to move more slowly, the gravitational attraction would pull them inwards, potentially resulting in a collision with the star or planet. Therefore, the principle that "closer to a star or planet means stronger gravitational force, requiring faster orbits" encapsulates the essential relationship between distance and orbital speed.

In contrast, objects that are further away from the star or planet experience a weaker gravitational force, allowing them to maintain stable orbits at lower speeds. This relationship is key to understanding how celestial bodies behave in their orbits and helps explain why planetary systems and orbital paths are structured the way they are.