Re: Giotto Earth flyby - orbital data

Raoul Behrend (Raoul.Behrend@obs.unige.ch)
Thu, 24 Jun 1999 11:11:52 +0200 (MET DST)

Hi Ed,

> ] Giotto's orbital elements with respect to the ecliptic are:
> ] Semi-major axis - 1.0827 AU. (period 1.127 years)
> ] Eccentricity - 0.081274.
> ] Inclination - 5.5353 deg.
> ] Longitude of ascending node - 279.111 deg.
> ] Argument of perihelion - 313.2221 deg.
> ] True anomaly - 339.4604 deg.
    ^^^^

Mean anomaly will be more useful to to calculations about ephemerides...
Are these elements J2000 or "mean" equator and ecliptic of the date ?

Regards, Raoul

-----

Observatoire de Genève
Raoul Behrend
CH-1290 Sauverny / Suisse

Raoul.Behrend@Obs.UniGe.CH
http://obswww.unige.ch/~behrend

"Herbe à Nicot? Herbe à nigaud!"