How to Calculate Longitude and Latitude Speed from Cartesian Values?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the speed of longitude and latitude in degrees or radians from Cartesian coordinates of an asteroid. The key method involves converting Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z) to spherical coordinates (r, θ, φ) and applying the same conversion to the velocity vectors (v_x, v_y, v_z). The process confirms that position and velocity vectors can be transformed between coordinate systems consistently. The discussion emphasizes that longitude and latitude are not polar coordinates but rather grid coordinates on a sphere's surface.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z)
  • Knowledge of spherical coordinates (r, θ, φ)
  • Familiarity with vector calculus and derivatives
  • Basic concepts of celestial mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the conversion formulas between Cartesian and spherical coordinates
  • Learn about vector calculus in three dimensions
  • Explore the application of derivatives in physics, particularly in celestial mechanics
  • Investigate the implications of velocity transformations in astrodynamics
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students of celestial mechanics who are working with asteroid trajectories and need to understand the relationship between Cartesian and spherical coordinate systems.

cptolemy
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Hi,

I have a little doubt. I have, referred to the Sun, the cartesian positions and velocities of an asteroid (in x, y and z coordinates - 6 values).

I can easely calculate the polar coordinates (longitude and latitude - along with distance).

My doubt is: how do I calculate the longitude and latitude speed in degrees/radians given the cartesian values? Is it the same way?

I'm sorry for this stupid doubt...

Kind regards,

CPtolemy
 
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My doubt is: how do I calculate the longitude and latitude speed in degrees/radians given the cartesian values? Is it the same way?
Probably - long and lat are not polar coordinate representations, they are grid coordinates on the surface of a sphere.
You can convert ##(x,y,z)## to ##(r,\theta,\phi)## then you can convert ##(v_x,v_y,v_z)## to ##(v_r, v_\theta, v_\phi)## in the same way.
Position and velocity vectors convert between coordinate systems the same way.

You can check your understanding by finding ##\vec v = \frac{\partial}{\partial t}(r,\theta,\phi)##
 

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