To describe the size of an ellipse.
Ganymede's semi-major axis is approximately 1,070,400 kilometers.
The length of the major axis of an ellipse is equal to twice the length of the semi-major axis. If the semi-major axis is denoted as "a," then the major axis length is 2a. This axis is the longest diameter of the ellipse, stretching from one end of the ellipse to the other through the center.
The perimeter ( P ) of an ellipse can be approximated using the formula ( P \approx \pi \left( 3(a + b) - \sqrt{(3a + b)(a + 3b)} \right) ), where ( a ) is the semi-major axis and ( b ) is the semi-minor axis. With a major axis of 15, the semi-major axis ( a ) is 7.5, and with a minor axis of 7.5, the semi-minor axis ( b ) is 3.75. Plugging in these values gives an approximate perimeter of about 34.68.
To determine the semi-major axis of an orbit, you can measure the distance between the center of the orbit and one of its furthest points. This distance is half of the longest diameter of the elliptical orbit and is known as the semi-major axis.
The length of the major axis of an ellipse is determined by the lengths of its semi-major and semi-minor axes. In this case, if the red line segment represents the semi-major axis (8), the length of the major axis would be twice that, which is 16. The blue line segment, being shorter (4), represents the semi-minor axis. Thus, the major axis of the ellipse is 16 units long.
To find the semi-major axis of a planet in astronomical units (AU) using Kepler's Third Law, we can use the formula ( a^3 = P^2 ), where ( a ) is the semi-major axis in AU and ( P ) is the orbital period in years. For a period of 10.8 years, we have: [ a^3 = (10.8)^2 = 116.64 ] Taking the cube root gives us: [ a \approx 4.87 \text{ AU} ] Thus, the semi-major axis of the planet is approximately 4.87 AU.
Whichever segment it is to which you are referring, it does not need to be red; it can be any color.The segment that intersects both foci is called the semi-major axis. The segment that is perpendicular to the semi-major axis with one end midway between the foci is called the semi-minor axis.
In Kepler's first law, the semi-major axis refers to the longest radius of an elliptical orbit, which extends from the center of the ellipse to its outer edge. The major axis is the full length of this longest diameter, passing through both foci of the ellipse. Essentially, the semi-major axis is half the length of the major axis, defining the size of the orbit and influencing the orbital period of the celestial body.
The average distance from the sun to a planet is its semi-major axis, which is the longest radius of its elliptical orbit.
The square root of ( a squared plus b squared ), quantity divided by a, where a is the length of the semi-major axis and b is the length of the semi-minor axis.
The square root of ( a squared plus b squared ), quantity divided by a, where a is the length of the semi-major axis and b is the length of the semi-minor axis.
In an ellipse, the length of the major axis is the total distance across the ellipse at its widest point. Given that the length of the major axis is 17, the semi-major axis is half of that, which is 8. If the red line segment (the semi-minor axis) is 6, then the blue line segment can be found using the relationship of these axes. The length of the blue line segment, representing the semi-minor axis, is thus 6.