Specific Relative Angular Momentum - Elliptical Orbit

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.

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