A comet has a period of 71.3 years and moves in an elliptical orbit in which its perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) is 0.700 AU. Find the semimajor axis of the comet and an estimate of the comet's maximum distance from the Sun, both in astronomical units. HINT (a) the semimajor axis of the comet (in AU) 34.4 X AU (b) an estimate of the comet's maximum distance (in AU) from the Sun 33.67 Remember that the semimajor axis, a, is half the longest distance across an ellipse. For the special case of a circular orbit, the semimajor axis equals the orbital radius. AU
A comet has a period of 71.3 years and moves in an elliptical orbit in which its perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) is 0.700 AU. Find the semimajor axis of the comet and an estimate of the comet's maximum distance from the Sun, both in astronomical units. HINT (a) the semimajor axis of the comet (in AU) 34.4 X AU (b) an estimate of the comet's maximum distance (in AU) from the Sun 33.67 Remember that the semimajor axis, a, is half the longest distance across an ellipse. For the special case of a circular orbit, the semimajor axis equals the orbital radius. AU
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
5th Edition
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Chapter11: Gravity, Planetary Orbits, And The Hydrogen Atom
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 21P: Comet Halley (Fig. P11.21) approaches the Sun to within 0.570 AU, and its orbital period is 75.6 yr....
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