Circles in traces of gold? (6)

I believe the answer is:

orbits

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'circles' is the definition.
(orbiting is a kind of circling)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for orbits that I've seen before include "Paths of e.g. planets" , "Whole rounds" , "Curved paths of celestial objects" , "Circulates" , "Planetary paths" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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