More convenient units to use in Solar System Dynamics are AU for
distance and years for time
1 AU = 1.4960x1011 metres
1 year = 3.1558x107 seconds
Central Body |
Mass | k = MG |
Sun | MS = 1.9891x1030 kg | 1.3275x1020 m3/s2 39.487 AU3/yr2 887.4 AU km2/s2 |
Earth | 5.974x1024 kg 1/332960 MS |
3.987x1014 m3/s2 3.987x105 km3/s2 0.00011860 AU3/yr2 |
Jupiter | 1.8987x1027 kg 1/1047 MS |
1.2672x1017 m3/s2 1.2672x108 km3/s2 0.05648 AU3/yr2 |
The equations below enable one to determine the motion and timing of an object in orbit. The time for travel along an orbit can be determine by calcuation of the difference of the mean anamolies, M, of the two points.
TYPE ORBIT | Circular[1] | Elliptical | Parabolic[2] | Hyperbolic |
Eccentricity, e | e = 0 | 0 < e < 1 | e = 1 | e > 1 |
Semi-major Axis, a | a > 0 | a > 0 | a = undefined see peri-helion/-gee |
a < 0 |
Periapsis Distance, q |
q = a | q = a (1 - e) | q defining parameter |
q = a (1 - e) |
Parameter, p Semi-latus rectum |
p = a | p = a(1-e2) | p = 2q | p = a(1-e2) |
Total Energy, E | E = - k/2a | E = - k/2a | E = 0 | E = -k/2a |
Distance from Central Body |
r = a | r = p/[1 + e cos(θ)] | r = 2q/[1 + cos(θ)] | r = p/[1 + e cos(θ)] |
Velocity, v θ = angle from periapsis (true anamoly) |
v2 = k(1/a) v = constant |
v2 = k(2/r - 1/a) v2 = [k/p](1+e2+2 e cos(θ)) |
v2 = k(2/r) v2 = (k/q)[1 + cos(θ)] |
v2 = k(2/r - 1/a) v2 = [k/p](1+e2+2 e cos(θ)) |
Angle of Velocity, φ relative to the perpendicular to the radial direction |
φ = 0 | tan(φ) = [e sin(θ)/(1 + e cos(θ))] |
φ = θ/2 | tan(φ) = [e sin(θ)/(1 + e cos(θ))] θmax = cos-1(1/-e) |
Periapsis Velocity, vq |
vq = [k/a]1/2 | vq = [(k/a)(1+e)/(1-e)]1/2 | vq = [2k/q]1/2 This is the 'escape' velocity |
vq = [(-k/a)(1+e)/(e-1)]1/2 |
Areal Velocity, A | A = [ka]1/2 | A = [ka(1+e)/(1-e)]1/2 | A = [kq/2]1/2 | A = [-ka(1+e)/(e-1)]1/2 |
Orbit Period, P | P = 2π[a3/k]1/2 | P = 2π[a3/k]1/2 | undefined | undefined |
Eccentric Anomaly, E, D, F Units = radians |
E = θ | [e + cos(θ)] cos(E) = ------------------- [1 + e cos(θ)] |
D = tan(θ/2) | [e + cos(θ)] cosh(F) = ------------------ [1 + e cos(θ)] |
Mean Anomaly, M | M = E | M = E - e sin(E) | M = D +D3/3 | M = e sinh(F) - F |
Time from Periapsis, t - to | t - to = M P/(2π) t-to = [a3/k]1/2 M |
t - to = M P/(2π) t-to = [a3/k]1/2 M |
t - to = [2 q3/k]1/2 M | t - to = [(-a)3/k]1/2 M |
Note 1: Circular Orbits are a special case of Elliptical orbits
The relationships can be determined from
the Elliptical orbit equations by subsituting:
r = a and e = 0.
I provide them here for comparison.
Note 2: The Parabolic Orbit is very long stretched Elliptical Orbit and cannot be characterized by a semi-major axis or eccentricity. It is determined only by its periapsis distance from the central body.
Note: I have used a different definition for the Parabolic Eccentic Anamoly, D, than the standard references so that the Parabolic Mean Anamoly is dimensionless.