What is meant by Apogee and perigee,Eccentricity? How do we Calculate them?

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Apr 28, 2017

Apogee, perigee and eccentricity are terms which describe aspects of an elliptic orbit.

Explanation:

Planets, moon and satellites follow elliptic orbits. There are a number of parameters which can be used to describe an orbit. At least two parameters are required.

The semi-major axis $a$ is half of the greatest width of the ellipse.

The eccentricity $0 \le e < 1$ describes the shape of the ellipse. An eccentricity of zero is a perfect circle.

Apogee means the furthest distance the Moon or a satellite gets from Earth in its orbit. The related term aphelion is the furthest distance a planet or other body gets from the Sun. The generic term is apapsis which describes the furthest distance an orbit gets from anything. Apogee $A$ is related to the semi-major axis and eccentricity.

$A = a \left(1 + e\right)$

Perigee means the closest distance the Moon or a satellite gets to Earth in its orbit. The related term perihelion is the closest distance a planet or other body gets to the Sun. The generic term is periapsis which describes the closest distance an orbit gets to anything. Perigee $P$ is related to the semi-major axis and eccentricity.

$P = a \left(1 - e\right)$

Given any two of apogee, perigee, eccentricity and semi-major axis, it is easy to calculate the other two and completely define the ellipse.

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