A comet has a period of 75.3 years and moves in an elliptical orbit in which its perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) is 0.640 AU. Find the semimajor axis of the comet and an estimate of the comet's maximum distance from the Sun, both in astronomical units. (a) the semimajor axis of the comet (in AU) (b) an estimate of the comet's maximum distance (in AU) from the Sun

Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
5th Edition
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Chapter11: Gravity, Planetary Orbits, And The Hydrogen Atom
Section: Chapter Questions
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A comet has a period of 75.3 years and moves in an elliptical orbit in which its perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) is 0.640 AU. Find the semimajor axis of the comet and an estimate of the comet's maximum distance from the Sun, both in astronomical units.
(a)
the semimajor axis of the comet (in AU)
(b)
an estimate of the comet's maximum distance (in AU) from the Sun
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