Where would you place the location of a reference point in order to describe the motion of a space probe traveling from Earth to Jupiter?

My personal choice for a reference point would be the center of the Sun. That would most clearly reveal all of the motions involved.

Answered by AL2006 | 2024-06-24

To describe the motion of a space probe traveling from Earth to Jupiter, a reference point is needed. A suitable reference point could be Earth or the Sun, considering the motion we're interested in. If we're analyzing the probe's trajectory in the scope of the solar system, the Sun would be the most appropriate reference point. This is because the gravity of the Sun affects the motion of the probe, particularly after the 1974 slingshot maneuver around Jupiter, which is evident from the trajectory of the Pioneer 10 space probe. The probe's position, marked at one-year intervals since its launch in 1972, demonstrates its path relative to the Sun.
Since the Pioneer 10 trajectory data do not require a frame of reference in motion, static frames like Earth or the Sun are ideal. In this instance, considering that the probe's motion post-Jupiter flyby was mostly determined by the Sun's gravity, the Sun serves as a stable reference point that allows for consistent measurements of the probe's coordinates in space over time.

Answered by MinkaKelly | 2024-06-24

To describe a space probe's motion from Earth to Jupiter, you can use Earth, the Sun, Jupiter's center, or the center of mass frame as reference points. Each provides unique perspectives based on the context of the analysis. The choice of reference point is key to understanding the probe's trajectory and interactions during its journey.
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Answered by AL2006 | 2024-09-04