Solar position and velocity vectors - Use?

[solarblast]

Solar position and velocity vectors -- Use?

What are the solar position and velocity vectors used for? A program I'm working with requires them to help construct the trajectory of a meteor. Do they somehow become useful in calculating the orbit of the meteor?

Aside from their use, I'm looking at an old astronomy almanac for 1991, and found them in a table. I would like to know them for CE 1955 October 20 07:53:32.6 UT for three dates either side of that date. The USNO probably has them on a web site, but a msg I sent to them early last week has gone unanswered so far.

 

[lippyka]

Yes, solar position and velocity vectors are used to calculate the trajectory of a meteor, as well as other celestial objects. The vectors indicate the motion of the Sun relative to the orbital plane of the Earth in three-dimensional space, and can be used to calculate the movement of the object through space. The USNO website is a great resource for finding the solar position and velocity vectors you need.