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Suppose we have an elliptical orbit with the sun at one focus $F_1$ -- See diagram. Let $F_1$ be the origin and let $\theta$ be the the angle between $F_1P$ and $F_1B$. Find $\theta$ as a function of time $t$.

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My attempt:

According to Kepler's 2nd law, $$\frac{dA}{dt}=\frac{1}{2}r^2\frac{d\theta}{dt}=k\tag1$$

where $k$ is a constant.

We know that $\displaystyle r=\frac{p}{1-\epsilon\cos\theta}$ where $p$ is the semi-latus rectum and $\epsilon$ is the eccentricity of the ellipse.

Substituting into (1), we get

$$\frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{p}{1-\epsilon\cos\theta}\right)^2\frac{d\theta}{dt}=k$$

We can now integrate to find $\theta$ in terms of $t$.

Is this correct? Is there is a simpler way to do this that I'm missing?

Qmechanic
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