Question

A)Some comets are in highly elongated orbits that come very close to the sun at perihelion. The distance from one such comet to the center of the sun is 6.00×10^9m at perihelion and 3.00×10^12m at aphelion. For this comet's orbit, find the semi-major axis.

B)

In 2017 astronomers discovered a planet orbiting the star HATS-43. The orbit of the planet around HATS-43 has semi-major axis 7.41×109m, eccentricity 0.173, and period 4.39 days. Find the distance between HATS-43 and the planet at its closest approach.

Express your answer with the appropriate units

Answer 1

A)length of aphelion = 1mx = 3.00e +12 m and perihelion= n=6.00e +09m if length of semi major axis a and eccentricity=e Imax =a(1+e) Iman =a (1-e) adding both equation max + min = 2a => a =1.503e+12m B) orbitof planet orbiting star has semi major axis= a = 7.4le+09m eccentricity= e =0.173 dis tance of the planet with the star atits closest approach Emin =a (1-e) = 6.128e+09 m