1. The orbit of a spacecraft around the Sun has a perihelion distance of 0.5 AU and an aphelion distance of 3.5 AU. What is the spacecraft’s orbital period? 2. Use two thumbtacks (or pieces of tape),...

1. The orbit of a spacecraft around the Sun has a perihelion distance of 0.5 AU and an aphelion distance of 3.5 AU. What is the spacecraft’s orbital period?

2. Use two thumbtacks (or pieces of tape), a loop of string, and a pencil to draw several ellipses. Describe how the shapes of the ellipses vary as you change the distance between the thumbtacks.