Parabolic orbit determination. Comparison of the Olbers method and algebraic equations

Abstract

In this paper, the Olbers method for the preliminary parabolic orbit determination (in the Lagrange–Subbotin modification) and the method based on systems of algebraic equations for two or three variables proposed by the author are compared. The maximum number of possible solutions is estimated. The problem of selection of the true solution from the set of solutions obtained both using additional equations and by the problem reduction to finding the objective function minimum is considered. The results of orbit determination of the comets 153P/Ikeya-Zhang and 2007 N3 Lulin are cited as examples.