PhysAstro Sims--Planetary Orbits

Introduction

The planetary orbit simulator linked to below uses JavaScript and HTML to generate a graph of a planetary orbit given its semi-major axis and eccentricity. For more information about how Kepler's Laws describe this orbital shape and motion of planets use the associated exercise and calculator and check out the resources listed below.

Note Before Accessing the Simulation Below

Your browser must be capable of interpreting JavaScript and using cookies.
Depending upon the processor speed of your computer, the orbit may take awhile to be displayed completely. So do not abort the calculation too early.

Interactive Study of Kepler's Laws

Resources

Books

Any good college introductory astronomy textbook will be helpful. Below are two such examples.

John D Fix. Astronomy: Journey to the Cosmic Frontier, 6th ed. McGraw Hill (2011)
Eric Chaisson and Steve McMillan. Astronomy Today, 8th ed. Benjamin Cummings (2013).

Web Sites

"Basics of Space Flight"--all of Section I is helpful but especially Chapter 3 and Chapter 5.
"Planetary Motion: The History of an Idea That Launched the Scientific Revolution"--a succinct and readable history of our models of planetary motion from the ancient geocentric model up through Kepler's heliocentric one and on into Einstein's ideas with relativity.
"JPL Solar System Dynamics"--explores the orbits, physical characteristics and some facts about the discovery of the natural objects in our solar system.

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