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Homework solutions
•Question 3   (1 point) If a space probe were sent into an orbit around the sun that brought it as close as 0.5 AU to the sun and as far away as 5.5 AU, what would be the semimajor axis of its orbit?
 
a. 0.5 AU b. 3.0 AU c. 5.5 AU d. 6.0 AU 
• Question 4   (1 point) If a space probe were sent into an orbit around the sun that brought it as close as 0.5 AU to the sun and as far away as 5.5 AU, what would be its orbital period?
 
a.1.0 years b. 2.5 years c. 4.1 years d. 5.2 years 
•Use Kepler’s third law: P2 = a3 for both these problems.  Use units of years and AUs to make life simple.