CELESTIAL MECHANICS

Eric Chang, Emily Clader, Kyle Hoffmann, Jennifer Jun, Jordan Ledvina, Adam Lewin, Janine LoBue, Michelle Mooney, Pratik Patel, Jennifer Perri, Boris Pivtorak

Advisor: Dr. Steve Surace
Assistant: Stephanie Cavagnaro-Wong

ABSTRACT

This team project was devoted to modeling the orbits of heavenly bodies. Our objectives were divided into three components, but the ultimate goal was to create a series of equations that could be used to determine the position in space of any planet at any date and time, relative to the sun. The entire group was divided into three smaller groups, each with a particular specialization, who worked independently at first but eventually combined their data and supported each other’s findings. One group worked with ellipse geometry, another proved Kepler’s Laws, and the third explored spherical trigonometry. The group discovered different equations to model these elements of celestial mechanics and used them to find the planetary positions at a particular date and time. The individual groups produced the same answer.

Team 7