<p>Polydeuces and Dione are co-orbital, that is they are on the same &quot;track&quot; at 377000km from Saturn</p>
<p>When closest, they are 33.9° (or 33.9×π/180 = 0.188π radians) and so the &quot;distance based on orbit&quot; (the arc length) is <span class="math-container">$377000\times0.188π=222000km$</span> and the straight line distance is <span class="math-container">$2\sin(0.188π/2)\times377000=219000km$</span>.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-02-17T16:17:05.223Z
I need the drift. That's the near distance. in a regular orbit, This moon 92 degrees from Dione in an elliptical orbit.
PatTracy
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-02-17T23:33:43.820Z
Sorry @PatTracy,  I don't understand you.  Dione and Polydeuce are both on (near) elliptical orbits, but their eccentricity is so low that the difference would only change the fourth or fifth significant figure.  That is I've neglected eccentricity as a circular model gives sufficiently accurate results.  I don't know what you mean by "drift".  The answer above gives the "nearest distance"  For the furthest distance, replace 33.9 by 92 in the calculation above.  Please use your own calculator.
James K
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-02-13T08:06:46.133Z
2023-02-13T08:06:46.133Z
James K
<p>What is the distance between Saturn's moons Polydeuces and Dione,
Looking for Kilometers if one was to travel Nearest and farthest based on orbit.</p>
<p>Best I can find:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>&quot;Polydeuces can get as close as 39 degrees to Dione and then drift as far as 92 degrees from it, taking over two years to complete its journey around the Lagrange point.&quot;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I can't figure this out. What is it in Km?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-02-11T18:58:20.563Z
Diona (and Polydeuces) orbit 377000km from Saturn. So you can easily work out how far round the orbit 39 and 92 degrees are, and then get the straight line distance from that if needed.
Rory Alsop
<distances>
Calculate the distance between two planets eliptical orbit point
PatTracy
# Calculate the distance between two planets eliptical orbit point

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-02-11)

What is the distance between Saturn's moons Polydeuces and Dione,
Looking for Kilometers if one was to travel Nearest and farthest based on orbit.

Best I can find:

> "Polydeuces can get as close as 39 degrees to Dione and then drift as far as 92 degrees from it, taking over two years to complete its journey around the Lagrange point."

I can't figure this out. What is it in Km?

**Tags:** distances
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Diona (and Polydeuces) orbit 377000km from Saturn. So you can easily work out how far round the orbit 39 and 92 degrees are, and then get the straight line distance from that if needed.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2023-02-13. Score: 2

Polydeuces and Dione are co-orbital, that is they are on the same "track" at 377000km from Saturn

When closest, they are 33.9° (or 33.9×π/180 = 0.188π radians) and so the "distance based on orbit" (the arc length) is $377000\times0.188π=222000km$ and the straight line distance is $2\sin(0.188π/2)\times377000=219000km$.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I need the drift. That's the near distance. in a regular orbit, This moon 92 degrees from Dione in an elliptical orbit.  
> **username_2**: Sorry @PatTracy,  I don't understand you.  Dione and Polydeuce are both on (near) elliptical orbits, but their eccentricity is so low that the difference would only change the fourth or fifth significant figure.  That is I've neglected eccentricity as a circular model gives sufficiently accurate results.  I don't know what you mean by "drift".  The answer above gives the "nearest distance"  For the furthest distance, replace 33.9 by 92 in the calculation above.  Please use your own calculator.  

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