What is the semi-major axis and distance of Icarus' highly eccentric orbit?

In summary, the asteroid Icarus has been named after its highly eccentric elliptical orbit that brings it close to the sun at perihelion. Its eccentricity e is defined by rp = a(1-e), where rp is the perihelion distance and a is the semi-major axis. With an eccentricity of 0.83 and a period of 1.1 years, the semi-major axis of Icarus' orbit can be determined using Kepler's third law. Additionally, as the sun is at one focus of the ellipse, knowing e and a allows for the calculation of the perihelion and aphelion distances of Icarus' orbit.
  • #1
dswatson
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The asteroid Icarus, discovered in 1949, was so named because its highly eccentric elliptical orbit brings it close to the sun at perihelion. The eccentricity e of an ellipse is defined by the relation rp=a(1-e) where rp is the perihelion distance and a is the semi-major axis. Icarus has an eccentricity of 0.83 and a period of 1.1y.

a)Determine the semi-major axis of the orbit of Icarus.

b)Determine the perihelion and aphelion distances of thie orbit of Icarus.
 
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  • #2
a, the semi major axis comes straight from keplers third law

b, The sun is at one focus of the elipse, so if you know 'e' and 'a' the other parts of the elipse drop out.
 
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What are Kepler's Laws?

Kepler's laws are a set of three scientific laws that describe the motion of planets around the sun. They were developed by Johannes Kepler in the early 17th century.

What is the First Law of Kepler?

The First Law of Kepler, also known as the Law of Ellipses, states that the orbit of a planet around the sun is an ellipse with the sun at one of the two foci.

What is the Second Law of Kepler?

The Second Law of Kepler, also known as the Law of Equal Areas, states that a line connecting a planet to the sun will sweep out equal areas in equal time intervals.

What is the Third Law of Kepler?

The Third Law of Kepler, also known as the Harmonic Law, states that the square of the orbital period of a planet is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.

Why are Kepler's Laws important?

Kepler's Laws are important because they provide a mathematical understanding of how planets move in our solar system. They also laid the foundation for Isaac Newton's theory of gravity and helped to shape our understanding of the laws of motion.

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