A geometric method to locate Neptune

We develop a direct geometric method to determine the orbital parameters and mass of a planet, and we then apply the method to Neptune using high-precision data for the other planets in the solar system. The method is direct in the sense that it does not involve curve fitting. This paper, thereby, o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of physics 2021-05, Vol.89 (5), p.454-458
Main Authors: Bhatnagar, Siddharth, Vyasanakere, Jayanth P., Murthy, Jayant
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Geometry
Neptune
Solar energy
Solar system
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Summary:We develop a direct geometric method to determine the orbital parameters and mass of a planet, and we then apply the method to Neptune using high-precision data for the other planets in the solar system. The method is direct in the sense that it does not involve curve fitting. This paper, thereby, offers a new pedagogical approach to orbital mechanics that could be valuable in a physics classroom.
ISSN:0002-9505
1943-2909
DOI:10.1119/10.0003349