Synodic Day

Functions
template<typename T >
T	EGXPhys::SynodicDay (const T orbitalPeriodIns, const T siderealDayIns)
	Calculates the synodic day, \(T_{Synodic}\), of a celestial object in seconds from the length of the celestial object's orbital period, \(T_{Orbit}\), and sidereal day, \(T_{Sidereal}\). A synodic day is the time it takes for the celestial object to rotate so the body it is orbiting appears in the same position in the sky overhead. \[ T_{Synodic}=\dfrac{T_{Orbit} * T_{Sidereal}}{T_{Orbit} - T_{Sidereal}}\] . More...

Detailed Description

Function Documentation

SynodicDay()

template<typename T >

T EGXPhys::SynodicDay	(	const T	orbitalPeriodIns,
		const T	siderealDayIns
	)

Calculates the synodic day, \(T_{Synodic}\), of a celestial object in seconds from the length of the celestial object's orbital period, \(T_{Orbit}\), and sidereal day, \(T_{Sidereal}\). A synodic day is the time it takes for the celestial object to rotate so the body it is orbiting appears in the same position in the sky overhead.

\[ T_{Synodic}=\dfrac{T_{Orbit} * T_{Sidereal}}{T_{Orbit} - T_{Sidereal}}\]

.

See http://www.celestialnorth.org/FAQtoids/dazed_about_days_(solar_and_sidereal).htm and http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/S/Sidereal+Day

Parameters

orbitalPeriodIns	\( T_{Orbit}\ (s)\) Orbital period of the celestial object in seconds.
siderealDayIns	\( T_{Sidereal}\ (s)\) Sidereal day of the celestial object in seconds. Negative number indicates the planet has retrograde rotation.

Returns

\( T_{Synodic}\ (s)\) Synodic day of the celestial object in seconds.

See also

SolarDay() for alias.

SiderealDay() for period it takes for a celestial body to rotate once in relation to the distant stars. It is a 360 degree rotation.

OrbitalPeriod() for period it takes for a celestial body to complete one orbit around another object.