Celestial navigation and orbital mechanics depend on advanced trigonometric calculations.
Key Applications
- Orbital Mechanics: Hohmann transfer calculations
- Spacecraft Attitude: Star tracker alignments
- Planetary Occultation: Angular diameter calculations
Small Angle Formula: θ ≈ 206265·D/d
Where:
θ = angular size (arcseconds)
D = actual diameter
d = distance
Mars Approach
Calculating apparent size at closest approach:
D = 6,779km, d = 54.6M km
θ ≈ 206265×6779/54,600,000 ≈ 25.6"