Formula Used:
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The eccentricity of an elliptical orbit is a measure of how stretched or elongated the orbit's shape is. It is a dimensionless parameter that ranges from 0 (perfect circle) to values approaching 1 (highly elongated ellipse).
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the eccentricity by dividing the distance between the two foci by twice the semi-major axis length.
Details: Eccentricity is a fundamental parameter in orbital mechanics that determines the shape of an orbit. It affects orbital period, velocity variations, and stability characteristics of celestial bodies and artificial satellites.
Tips: Enter the distance between two foci and semi-major axis values in meters. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What does an eccentricity of 0 mean?
A: An eccentricity of 0 indicates a perfectly circular orbit where both foci coincide at the center.
Q2: What is the maximum possible eccentricity value?
A: For elliptical orbits, eccentricity ranges from 0 to just below 1. A value of 1 represents a parabolic orbit, while values greater than 1 represent hyperbolic orbits.
Q3: How does eccentricity affect orbital velocity?
A: Higher eccentricity means greater variation in orbital velocity, with maximum velocity at periapsis (closest approach) and minimum velocity at apoapsis (farthest point).
Q4: What are typical eccentricity values for planetary orbits?
A: Most planets in our solar system have low eccentricities (0.01-0.2), while comets and some asteroids can have much higher eccentricities (0.5-0.99).
Q5: Can eccentricity change over time?
A: Yes, eccentricity can change due to gravitational perturbations from other bodies, tidal forces, or orbital maneuvers in the case of artificial satellites.