If I have two consecutive dates of opposition for a planet, how can I use those dates to calculate the synodic and sidereal period?
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The synodic period is time from one opposition to the next.
Only outer planets can reach opposition, use the equation below to find their sidereal period
1/(Sidereal period) =1/(Earth's sidereal period) - 1/(synodic period)
For Jupiter, the synodic period is 398.88 days
1/(Jupiter's sidereal period) = 1/365.25 - 1/398.88
Jupiter's sidereal period = 4,332.17 days = 11.86 years note all time in Earth days and years
Only outer planets can reach opposition, use the equation below to find their sidereal period
1/(Sidereal period) =1/(Earth's sidereal period) - 1/(synodic period)
For Jupiter, the synodic period is 398.88 days
1/(Jupiter's sidereal period) = 1/365.25 - 1/398.88
Jupiter's sidereal period = 4,332.17 days = 11.86 years note all time in Earth days and years