Kepler's Third Law (Period–Semi-major Axis) (T² = 4π²a³/(GM))
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T² = 4π²a³/(GM)
What each symbol means
| Symbol | What it stands for |
|---|---|
| G | Gravitational constant |
| M | Mass of central body (kg) |
| T | Orbital period (s) |
| a | Semi-major axis (m); for circle a=r |
When to use this
Planet/satellite mass ≪ M; M is attracting centre. Circular orbit: replace a by r.