How do you calculate a planet's perihelion distance? For example, a planet has a perihelion distance of 1 A.U. and a semi major axis of 234.89 A.U. What is its aphelion distance?
1 Answer
Nov 22, 2015
Aphelion = 468.79 AU
Explanation:
The Semi Major axis of an ellipse is given by a. So, a = 234.89 AU
The formula for Perihelion period is given by,
Perihelion = a(1 - e)
and for Aphelion, it is given by,
Aphelion = a(1 + e)
Where, is the eccentricity of the object's orbit.
Given,
Perihelion = 1 A.U
1 = 234.89(1 - e)
Aphelion = a(1 + e)
Aphelion = 234.89(1 + 0.9958)
Aphelion = 468.79 AU