What is the difference between the orbits of the planets in the solar system?

The planets in our solar system have varying speeds and distances from the Sun, resulting in different types of orbits. The shape of a planet's orbit is determined by its eccentricity, or how elongated it is. The more circular a planet's orbit, the less eccentricity it has. In general, there are two types of planetary orbits:

• Terrestrial planets, including Earth, have nearly circular orbits that keep them at roughly the same distance from the Sun.
• Jovian planets, such as Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, have more elliptical orbits, varying distances from the Sun, and longer orbital periods.

Planets with more elliptical orbits take longer to orbit the Sun, and they experience more extreme temperature changes. All planets travel in the same direction around the Sun, counterclockwise when viewed from above the Sun's north pole.