Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the interpretation of "equatorial radius" in the context of solving the inverse geodesic problem using a specific computational tool. Participants explore the implications of defining "North" or "South" in an orbital plane and the relevance of the equatorial radius in relation to ellipsoidal central masses.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- MT questions whether the "equatorial radius" refers to the semi-major axis, apocenter, or pericenter in the context of the orbital plane.
- Buzz suggests that the equatorial radius may refer to the maximum radius of an ellipsoidal central mass, noting that it could differ from a radially symmetric model.
- MT agrees with Buzz's point about the central mass being ellipsoidal and proposes that the equatorial radius could be defined as either the semi-major axis or a combination of the semi-major axis and the distance from the foci.
- Buzz clarifies that for an ellipsoid, all points on the equator are equally distant from the center, implying that the equatorial radius is simply the distance from the center.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express some agreement on the definition of the equatorial radius as the distance from the center of the ellipsoid, but there remains uncertainty regarding the specific context and implications of this definition in relation to the orbital plane.
Contextual Notes
The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of the central mass and its symmetry, as well as the definitions of terms like "equatorial radius" and "North/South" in the orbital context, which may not be universally agreed upon.