Elliptical Orbit
In an elliptical orbit, the specific relative angular momentum is twice the area per unit time swept out by a chord from the primary to the secondary: this area is referred to by Kepler's second law of planetary motion.
Since the area of the entire orbital ellipse is swept out in one orbital period, is equal to twice the area of the ellipse divided by the orbital period, giving the equation
- .
where
- is the semi-major axis
- is the semi-minor axis
- is the semi-latus rectum
- is the gravitational constant
- , are the two masses.
Read more about this topic: Specific Relative Angular Momentum
Famous quotes containing the word orbit:
“The Fitchburg Railroad touches the pond about a hundred rods south of where I dwell. I usually go to the village along its causeway, and am, as it were, related to society by this link. The men on the freight trains, who go over the whole length of the road, bow to me as to an old acquaintance, they pass me so often, and apparently they take me for an employee; and so I am. I too would fain be a track-repairer somewhere in the orbit of the earth.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)