A New Dance Partner for Uranus: Discovering a Minor Planet in Outer Resonance
Daniel Bamberger and colleagues discovered that minor planet 2015 OU194 is in a rare, stable 3:4 outer mean motion resonance with Uranus, the first known example. Using extended observations and simulations, they showed its orbit remains resonant for over a million years. Two other candidates were examined, but none matched 2015 OU194’s stability and near-circular orbit.
Crafting Accurate Orbits: Simplifying the Path to Keplerian Elements
Flores and Fantino propose a branchless algorithm (AL3) to improve the accuracy and efficiency of converting spacecraft trajectories into Keplerian orbital elements. By eliminating branching and using the ATAN2 function, their method enhances precision by up to 100 times and reduces computational time by 43%. For systems with limited capabilities, a hybrid approach (AL5) balances performance and simplicity, making these advancements crucial for modern satellite navigation and orbit optimization.