M = E - e sin E
to get the time, t, or position, n, in orbit. An addition relationshipscos n = [cos E - e]/[1 - e cos E]
andcos E = [cos n + e]/[1 + e cos n]
will be needed.Example 1.
n = 60o
cos E = (cos 60o + 0.2)/(1 + e cos 60o) = 0.46667
E = 1.08528 radians = 62o.18
M = 1.08528 - 0.20 sin(1.08528 radians) = 0.90839
t/P = M/(2p) = 0.14458
Example 2.
t/P = 1/6 = 0.16667
M = 2p/6 = p/3
Iterative Solution: Kepler's equation must be solved for the eccentric anomaly, E, but the equation is
transandental and has no algebraic solution. The solution must be done numerically. As long as the eccentricity
is not near 1, an interative solution as follows works well.
Using the values of M and e for this example we get
Calculate the true anomaly:
cos(n) = [cos(1.2361) - 0.20]/[1 - 0.20 cos(1.2361)] = 1.3759
n = 1.4328 radians = 82o.09
Compare these results with a circular orbit, ie e = 0.
In that case the angle would be 60o and the time would be 0.16667 period.
The geometry of the example is shown in the diagram to the right.
Note how little an eccentricity of 0.2 changes the shape of the ellipse from a circular shape. The biggest
difference between the reference circle and the elliptical orbit is the center of reference. The focus of
the ellipse is 0.2 of the radius from the center of the ellipse and circle. The angles and times calculated
in these examples are shown here. In only 0.1446 of a period the orbiting object will be 60o from perihelion while if one waits 1/6 of a period it will be 82o from the perihelion.