Question

The orbit of the Apollo asteroid Geographos has an average radius a = 1.24 AU and an eccentricity e = 0.34. Calculate the distance of this asteroid from the Sun at perihelion (q) and at aphelion (Q).

Answer 1

e = f/a, f = e x a

f = 0.34 × 1.24 = 0.4216 AU 

q = a - f = 1.24 - 0.42 = 0.82 AU 

Q = a + f = 1.24 + 0.42 = 1.66 AU