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Astronomy and Space Sciences

Astronomical Observation

The Laws of Planetary Motion

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Kepler's Third Law

Also known as the Law of Harmonies, it mathematically describes the relationship between the distance of planets from the sun and their orbital periods. The law is represented by the equation

P^2 = a^3

where

P

is the orbital period in years and

a

is the semi-major axis of the orbit in astronomical units (AU).

Kepler's First Law

Also known as the Law of Ellipses, it states that the orbit of a planet around the sun is an ellipse with the sun at one of the two foci.

Kepler's Second Law

Also referred to as the Law of Equal Areas, it describes the speed at which any given planet will move while orbiting the sun. It states that a line segment joining a planet and the sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time.

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