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Distance From Earth to Mars
I am looking for a formula or an algorithm that will calculate
the distance from the Earth to Mars at any time. IOW, a formula that calculates distance as a function of time. Does anyone know where I can find such a formula??? -- +----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Charles and Francis Richmond richmond at plano dot net | +----------------------------------------------------------------+ |
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Distance From Earth to Mars
"Charles Richmond" wrote in message ... I am looking for a formula or an algorithm that will calculate the distance from the Earth to Mars at any time. IOW, a formula that calculates distance as a function of time. Does anyone know where I can find such a formula??? There is no simple "formula"; you have to compute the heliocentric position of both the Earth and Mars; knowing that, you can then find the distance between the two. The "classic" book for astronomical calculations is Jean Meeus' "Astronomical Algorithms", published by Willman-Bell. Paul Schlyter's written an excellent web page about low-precision planetary position calculations which you'll find at http://home.tiscali.se/pausch/comp/ppcomp.html If you want high-precision calculations you need some serious computing effort; you might perhaps use the "ephemeris" feature in the free demo version of my own humble attempt at astronomy software, "SkyMap Pro", which you'll find at http://www.skymap.com Regards, Chris |
#3
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Distance From Earth to Mars
"Charles Richmond" wrote in message ... I am looking for a formula or an algorithm that will calculate the distance from the Earth to Mars at any time. IOW, a formula that calculates distance as a function of time. Does anyone know where I can find such a formula??? There is no simple "formula"; you have to compute the heliocentric position of both the Earth and Mars; knowing that, you can then find the distance between the two. The "classic" book for astronomical calculations is Jean Meeus' "Astronomical Algorithms", published by Willman-Bell. Paul Schlyter's written an excellent web page about low-precision planetary position calculations which you'll find at http://home.tiscali.se/pausch/comp/ppcomp.html If you want high-precision calculations you need some serious computing effort; you might perhaps use the "ephemeris" feature in the free demo version of my own humble attempt at astronomy software, "SkyMap Pro", which you'll find at http://www.skymap.com Regards, Chris |
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