Thread Closed

Vernal Equinox

 
Share Thread Thread Tools
Jun7-10, 02:18 AM   #1
 

Vernal Equinox


I am working with the Keplerian Elements from the JPL web site.

a - Semi-Major Axis
e - Eccentricity
I - Incilination
L - Mean Longitude
long.peri. - Longitude of the Periapsis
long.node.or N - Longitude of the Ascending Node

http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/txt/p_elem_t2.txt

From this you can derive

MA - Mean Anomaly
EA - Eccentric Anomaly
v - True Anomaly
r - Radius
Equ - Vernal Equinox

All of this data revolves around the v=0 point or the Periapsis, the point where the elliptical orbit is the closest to the sun. Now from this point the Vernal Equinox can be derived. The Vernal Equinox occurs on about March 21 every year. When looking thru the Sun on 3-21 the constellation that you see is Pisces. At the angle (the Sun to Pisces from the Periapsis) is the basis of the reference angle for the start of the Ascending Node, I think. It comes out to be 270.02 for the Earth. The data seems to be coming out right, Equ+N+w+v=0 @ 12-21, Equ+N+w+v=90 @ 3-21, Equ+N+w+v=180 @ 6-21 and Equ+N+w+v=270 @ 9-21. I just want to know If I am way off or I am right on target.
 
PhysOrg.com
PhysOrg
astronomy news on PhysOrg.com

>> NASA builds unusual testbed for analyzing X-ray navigation technologies
>> Subaru Telescope observations and CoRoT mission unveil future of the Sun
>> Galaxy's Ring of Fire
Thread Closed
Thread Tools


Similar Threads for: Vernal Equinox
Thread Forum Replies
signifance of equinox for orbiting satellite Astrophysics 0
Equinox Tests for MOND Astrophysics 0
Equinox Timing General Astronomy 4