Orbital Period Calculator

This Orbital Period Calculator allows users to calculate the orbital period, velocity, and convert periods into hours and days for objects such as satellites, planets, or moons based on the mass of the central object and the orbital radius provided.

Use Our Orbital Period Calculator

Using the Orbital Period Calculator

This guide will walk you through using the Orbital Period Calculator to determine the orbital period and velocity of an object based on its orbital parameters.

Step 1: Entering the Mass of the Central Object

Begin by identifying the central object around which your target object orbits. This could be a planet, a star, or any massive body.

  • Access the “Mass of Central Object” field: Locate the input field labeled “Mass of Central Object (in kg)”.
  • Enter the mass: Input the mass of the central object in kilograms. Use scientific notation if necessary, e.g., 5.97e24 for Earth.
  • Note: Ensure the mass is within the allowable range: 10,000,000,000 kg to 2×1030 kg.

Step 2: Specifying the Orbital Radius

Determine the distance from the center of the central object to the orbiting object.

  • Access the “Orbital Radius” field: Locate the input labeled “Orbital Radius (in meters)”.
  • Enter the radius: Input the orbital radius in meters. Make sure your value accurately reflects the orbital path.
  • Note: The value should be between 1,000 and 1,000,000,000,000 meters.

Step 3: Choosing the Type of Orbiting Object

Select the kind of object that is orbiting the central object, as this can affect the final calculations.

  • Access the “Type of Orbiting Object” field: This is a dropdown selection labeled accordingly.
  • Select the type: Choose from available options: Artificial Satellite, Planet, or Moon.

Step 4: Calculate the Results

After entering all required information, the calculator will automatically compute the following values:

  • Orbital Period: Displays the duration in seconds for one complete orbit around the central object.
  • Orbital Period in Hours: Converts the orbital period from seconds to hours for easier interpretation.
  • Orbital Period in Days: Further translates the period from hours to days.
  • Orbital Velocity: Calculated as the velocity of the orbiting object along its path, expressed in m/s.

Each calculated result is rounded to two or three decimal places, as specified, to ensure precision.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively utilize the Orbital Period Calculator to understand the dynamics of celestial orbits. Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast or a professional, this tool provides accurate essential metrics for your research and understanding.