Friday, May 23, 2014

[wumjpjnm] Circular approximations to elliptical orbits

Given an object in elliptical orbit around the sun, compute its average distance from the sun, with the average taken over time (not arc length).  Most of its time it will be moving slowly far from the sun (near aphelion).  Similarly, compute its median distance.

Given its orbital period, compute a circular orbit that has the same period.

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