Use the period P (125 y) and Kepler's third law (in the form used for objects orbiting the sun),
P^2/a^3 = 1 ,
to get the semimajor axis of the ellipse, a .
a is (1/2) the sum of the perihelion and aphelion distance. The value that you compute for a will be in A.U units. Take it from there.
(perihelion) + (aphelion) = a/2
If you need a review of Kepler's thrd law, try
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/the_universe/uts/kepler3.html
If a comet has a perihelion distance of 1.AU and an orbital period of 125 Earth years.. What is the comet's aphelion? Cannot seem to find the correct calculation
1 answer