What Happens to a Spacecraft's Synodic Period as Its Orbit Approaches 1 AU?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the synodic period of a spacecraft as its orbit approaches 1 AU from the Sun. The synodic period is calculated using the formula 1/S = 1/P - 1/E, where P is the orbital period of the spacecraft and E is the orbital period of Earth. As the spacecraft's distance increases towards 1 AU, its orbital speed decreases, resulting in a longer synodic period due to the diminishing difference in speed between the spacecraft and Earth. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that as the orbits converge, the time taken for one object to "lap" the other increases.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Kepler's laws of planetary motion
  • Familiarity with the concept of synodic period
  • Knowledge of the formula 1/S = 1/P - 1/E
  • Basic grasp of orbital mechanics and celestial dynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of Kepler's Third Law on synodic periods
  • Explore the calculations of synodic periods for various celestial bodies
  • Learn about the effects of gravitational interactions on orbital mechanics
  • Investigate the concept of angular position in orbital dynamics
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy students, astrophysicists, and anyone interested in orbital mechanics and the dynamics of celestial bodies.

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Homework Statement


If we were to put a spacecraft into orbit around the Sun at a distance of 0.900 au and then gradually increase the orbital distance closer and closer to 1 au, what would happen to the synodic period of the spacecraft ? Why does this happen?

Homework Equations


1/S = 1/P - 1/E & P2 = a3

The Attempt at a Solution


I get the correct answer when i calculate the known planets, mercury, venus, mars... but my hypothetical planets (orbiting the Sun) are just shy of 1au and just beyond 1au. example planet D (a=0.999) with this formula i get 665.833...(calculating in years) using this 1/s = 1/.9985-1/1. .9985 is what i got with P2 = a3. However when i replace 1/e (earth) with 365.26 and convert that to years it seems reasonable, being 1.001. One explanation has this statement "taking the limit of S as P approaches 1 AU", i just can't seem to find an explanation anywhere on the web. Does this formula break down closer to 1 because we use the Earth as a reference, or am i just using it incorrectly. Please tell me if this is confusing and i will try to explain it better. Thank you!
 
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As the orbit of your planet gets closer to that of the Earth, their orbital periods approach one another. That is to say, the difference in speed of the two approaches zero. How long would it take one object to "lap" the other when the differential speed is nearly nil?
 
Thank you, i think i got it, it helped to understand what synodic period was first instead of just plugging in numbers, once i figured out that the speed would be roughly the same it would take longer for it to return to the same angular position. Am i right here?
 
Yes.
 

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