Enter the period of orbit (years) into the Orbital Distance Calculator. The calculator will evaluate and display the Orbital Distance.
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Orbital Distance Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the Orbital Distance.
D = (P^2)^{1/3}- Where D is the Orbital Distance (AU)
- P is the period of orbit (years)
To calculate the orbital distance, squared the orbital period, then raise the result to the one-third power.
How to Calculate Orbital Distance?
The following example problems outline how to calculate Orbital Distance.
Example Problem #1:
- First, determine the period of orbit (years).
- The period of orbit (years) is given as: 50.
- Finally, calculate the Orbital Distance using the equation above:
D = (P^2)^1/3
The values given above are inserted into the equation below and the solution is calculated:
D = (50^2)^(1/3) = 13.572 (AU)
FAQ
What is an AU in the context of Orbital Distance?
AU stands for Astronomical Unit, which is a standard unit of measurement in astronomy. It is approximately equal to the distance from the Earth to the Sun, about 149.6 million kilometers or 93 million miles.
How does the period of orbit affect the Orbital Distance?
The period of orbit directly influences the Orbital Distance. According to the formula provided, the square of the orbital period (in years) is raised to the one-third power to calculate the Orbital Distance in Astronomical Units (AU). This means that as the orbital period increases, the Orbital Distance increases as well, following a cubic relationship.
Can the Orbital Distance formula be used for any celestial body?
Yes, the Orbital Distance formula can be applied to any celestial body orbiting another body, such as planets orbiting stars or moons orbiting planets. However, the specific conditions and parameters of the orbit must be known, specifically the period of orbit, to accurately calculate the Orbital Distance.
