1. What is the Orbital Axis Calculation?

The orbital axis calculation determines the semi-major axis of an orbit using Kepler's third law of planetary motion. It relates the orbital period of a body to the mass of the central object and the size of the orbit.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following equation:

Where:

• \( a \) — Semi-major axis (meters)
• \( T \) — Orbital period (seconds)
• \( G \) — Gravitational constant (6.67430 × 10⁻¹¹ m³/kg s²)
• \( M \) — Mass of central body (kg)

Explanation: The equation derives from Kepler's third law, relating the cube of the semi-major axis to the square of the orbital period.

3. Importance of Orbital Axis Calculation

Details: Calculating the semi-major axis is fundamental in celestial mechanics for determining orbital characteristics, planning space missions, and understanding planetary systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the orbital period in seconds, gravitational constant in m³/kg s² (default is 6.67430e-11), and central mass in kilograms. All values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What units should I use for the inputs?
A: Use seconds for period, m³/kg s² for gravitational constant, and kilograms for mass. The output will be in meters.

Q2: Can I use this for elliptical orbits?
A: Yes, the semi-major axis is the average distance in elliptical orbits and equals the radius for circular orbits.

Q3: What's the difference between semi-major axis and orbital radius?
A: For circular orbits they're equal. For elliptical orbits, semi-major axis is half the longest diameter.

Q4: Does this work for any two-body system?
A: Yes, as long as one mass is significantly larger than the other (like planet-sun systems).

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's theoretically exact for two point masses, but real-world factors like other gravitational influences may affect actual orbits.