The Orbit of Hale-Bopp Comet, Discovered in 1995, Is an Ellipse

question 34

Multiple Choice

The orbit of Hale-Bopp comet, discovered in 1995, is an ellipse with eccentricity and one focus at the Sun. The length of its major axis is AU. [An astronomical unit (AU) is the mean distance between Earth and the Sun, about 93 million miles.] Find the maximum distance from the comet to the Sun. (The perihelion distance from a planet to the Sun is and the aphelion distance is .) Find the answer in AU and round to the nearest hundredth.

• A) AU
• B) AU
• C) AU
• D) AU
• E) AU

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Definitions:

Random Variation

The unpredictable changes in data that cannot be attributed to any specific cause.

Time Series

A time series is a sequence of data points, typically consisting of successive measurements taken at spaced intervals over time, used in statistical and economic analysis.

Five-period Moving Average

A technique in time series analysis, calculating the average of a specific number of the most recent periods, in this case, five, to smoothen short-term fluctuations and highlight longer-term trends or cycles.

Relative Steady Growth

A consistent increase in the size or value of something over a period of time, often seen in economic or financial contexts.