The maximum and minimum velocities in kilometers per second of a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit can be calculated by

In these equations, a is half the length of the major axis of the orbit in kilometers, P is the orbital period in seconds, and e is the eccentricity of the orbit. 

(a) Find V_max and V_min for Pluto if a = 5.913 x 10⁹ kilometers, the period is P = 2.86 x 10¹² seconds, and the eccentricity is e = 0.249. 

(b) If a planet has a circular orbit, what can be said about its orbital velocity?

Transcribed Image Text:

Vmax Σπα 1+e P V1-e = and min 1-e La P V1+e 2πa