Continuity mistake: When Chekov sits outside the general store chatting with Sylvia, his left arm and her right alternate from entwined to un-entwined and back again as the shots change. (00:27:40)
Continuity mistake: On the bridge, watch Uhura. She goes from both hands on her controls, to left hand on her earpiece in a split second.
Continuity mistake: At the end, on the Bridge, when the warning marker explodes, Kirk's arm shifts position between shots.
Continuity mistake: When Scotty inhales the gas, the amount of smoke changes between shots.
Chosen answer: If they're in orbit, they're being pulled along by the planet's gravity well, therefore, impulse engines would only be used for minor corrections and would be "on standby" while in orbit, but not active. (Like keeping your car idling without revving the engine and creating plumes of exhaust).
Captain Defenestrator
Thank you for the info.
Movie Nut