Astronomy Answers
From the Astronomical Dictionary

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The description of the word you requested from the astronomical dictionary is given below.

the centripetal force

The centripetal force is a force that points towards the center of the curve that you're taking. If no forces act on you, then you'll keep going straight at the same speed. If you want to make a curve then some force must pull you in the right direction. That's a centripetal force. The centripetal force that keeps planets in their orbits around the Sun is the force of gravity. The opposite force is the centripetal force.