Parameters
Various parameters are associated with a conic section.
| conic section |
equation |
eccentricity (e) |
linear eccentricity (c) |
semi-latus rectum (ℓ) |
focal parameter (p) |
| circle |
 |
0 |
0 |
 |
 |
| ellipse |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| parabola |
y2 = 4ax |
1 |
 |
 |
 |
| hyperbola |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Conic parameters in the case of an ellipse
Conic sections are exactly those curves that, for a point F, a line L not containing F and a non-negative number e, are the locus of points whose distance to F equals e times their distance to L. F is called the focus, L the directrix, and e the eccentricity.
The linear eccentricity (c) is the distance between the center and the focus (or one of the two foci).
The latus rectum (2ℓ) is the chord parallel to the directrix and passing through the focus (or one of the two foci).
The semi-latus rectum (ℓ) is half the latus rectum.
The focal parameter (p) is the distance from the focus (or one of the two foci) to the directrix.
The following relations hold:
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-latus_rectum#Parameters
Mathematics of the ellipse
Figure 4: Heliocentric coordinate system (r, θ) for ellipse. Also shown are: semi-major axis a, semi-minor axis b and semi-latus rectum p; center of ellipse and its two foci marked by large dots. For θ = 0°, r = rmin and for θ = 180°, r = rmax.
In the ellipse equation
(r, θ) are polar coordinates, p is the semi-latus rectum, and ε is the eccentricity. (see figure 4).
At θ = 0 is the minimum distance is
At θ = 90° the distance is .
At θ = 180° the maximum distance is
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kepler's_laws_of_planetary_motion
I think the formula of the radius of the ellipse is wrong. However, I cannot find the correct equation temporarily.
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