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If I have the eccentricity and the perihelion of an orbit given, how can I compute the aphelion?
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The computation of aphelion from eccentricity and perihelion involves understanding the relationship between these parameters in an elliptical orbit. The formula used is r_a = (r_p(1+e))/(1-e), where r_a is the aphelion, r_p is the perihelion, and e is the eccentricity. In this case, with a perihelion of 0.2301 AU and an eccentricity of 0.999846, the expected aphelion should be 4699 AU. The initial calculation of 2988 AU was incorrect due to a misapplication of the formulas.
PREREQUISITESAstronomers, astrophysicists, and students of orbital mechanics will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in calculating orbital parameters of celestial bodies.