Why is defining the AU as a fixed constant beneficial for long-term space missions?
Answer
It isolates any observed change in a planet's orbit as a true change in motion, rather than a shift in the baseline unit.
By setting the AU as a fixed number of meters, astronomers ensure the yardstick remains stable. Any observed change in orbital radius is then attributable to the planet's motion, crucial for trajectory predictions over years.
#Videos
What Does AU Mean In Astronomy? - Physics Frontier - YouTube
Related Questions
What distance does the Astronomical Unit (AU) fundamentally represent?In what year did the International Astronomical Union (IAU) establish the new, fixed definition for the AU?What is the modern, fixed value of one Astronomical Unit in meters?What specific measure of a planet's orbit does the AU represent?Approximately how long does it take for light emitted by the Sun to travel one AU to reach Earth?What approximate imperial measurement is equivalent to one AU?Why is defining the AU as a fixed constant beneficial for long-term space missions?Which planetary distances bracket the location of the asteroid belt when measured in AU?What astronomical scale makes the AU impractical as a primary unit of measurement?Historically, how was the AU initially determined before 2012?