Question

A Kuiper Belt object orbits the sun at an average distance of 43.4 AU with an eccentricity of e = 0.15. Calculate the comet's perihelion distance in AU using the equation: perihelion = a (1 - e).

Answer 1

Answer:

36.89AU

Explanation:

We are given that

Average distance,d=43.4 AU

Eccentricity,e=0.15

We have to find the comet's perihelion distance in AU using the equation

Perihelion=a(1-e)

Given equation:

Perihelion=$a(1-e)$

Substitute the values

Perihelion=$43.4(1-0.15)$

Perihelion=$43.4\times 0.85$

Perihelion=$36.89AU$