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MBA, Ph.D in Management
Harvard university
Feb-1997 - Aug-2003
Professor
Strayer University
Jan-2007 - Present
To write an equation for the elliptical orbit of Mercury, it is necessary to find the value of b. The equation b^2=a^2-c^2 can be used to find the value of b. Find the value of b rounded to the nearest million miles. (Hint: c is equal to the coordinate of the focus, which is the location of the Sun. To find the Sun’s location, subtract Mercury’s perihelion from its mean distance from the Sun). Explain your steps.
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Use the approximate values you calculated for a and b to write the equation for Mercury’s elliptical orbit.
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Even though planetary orbits are elliptical, some are nearly circular. What does the equation you wrote tell you about the shape of Mercury’s orbit?
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