Occultation Shadow Path Ground Speed m/s Calculator
Actual local planar occultation shadow segment speeds, not Earth surface mapping or geodesy. Caller independently establishes frames, units, epoch, covariance and instrument context; not an identity, association or astrometric quality certification.
Description
Planar shadow speed follows displacement between timed positions.
Planar shadow speed follows displacement between timed positions.1
A segment speed is distinct from a curved-path speed or full occultation trajectory. Use Occultation Shadow Path Ground Speed m/s Calculator to evaluate the supplied inputs under the model explained below.
When to use Occultation Shadow Path Ground Speed m/s Calculator
Use Occultation Shadow Path Ground Speed m/s Calculator to evaluate the supplied inputs under the model explained below. Establish the units, measurement scope and model assumptions before entering values.
How to use Occultation Shadow Path Ground Speed m/s Calculator and understand its results
- Establish the units, measurement scope and model assumptions before entering values.
- Enter Observed planar shadow positions meters, Observed time offsets seconds using the field table and validation rules below, then run the tool.
- Read Segment shadow speeds meters per second; interpret the units, signs, ordering and unknown-value placeholders described below.
- Correct reported input errors and rerun. Apply successful results according to their specific meanings and check the assumptions before using them in a decision.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| observedPlanarShadowPositionsMeters | Observed planar shadow positions meters | array of array | Required; constraints below |
| observedTimeOffsetsSeconds | Observed time offsets seconds | array of number | Required; constraints below |
Enter at least two nonempty aligned planar [x,y] positions in m and strictly increasing finite time offsets in s. Return Euclidean displacement divided by elapsed seconds for each adjacent segment in order. Signed positions and time offsets are accepted. No curved-path interpolation or coordinate projection occurs.
segmentSpeed[i]=hypot(position[i+1]−position[i])/(time[i+1]−time[i]) Use the field order, units and branch conditions described above.
| Output field | Meaning | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| segmentShadowSpeedsMetersPerSecond | Segment shadow speeds meters per second | array of number |
{
"input": {
"observedPlanarShadowPositionsMeters": [
[
0,
0
],
[
3,
4
]
],
"observedTimeOffsetsSeconds": [
0,
2
]
},
"output": {
"segmentShadowSpeedsMetersPerSecond": [
2.5
]
}
}Limitations and assumptions
A segment speed is distinct from a curved-path speed or full occultation trajectory. Apply the exact scope and assumptions explained above.
All listed fields require explicit values. Unexpected fields, incorrect types, nonfinite numbers and sparse arrays fail validation. Domain-specific bounds, alignments and supported tokens are explained above; extremely large inputs or outputs can also be rejected. Input errors differ from successful false results, empty match lists and unknown-evidence placeholders.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use Occultation Chord Duration Seconds from Chord Length Calculator for a related task: Chord duration compares a measured chord with a matched shadow speed.
Use Lunar Laser Ranging Earth-Moon Distance cm Precision Note Generator for a related task: A laser round trip measures two-way propagation time.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Occultation Chord Duration Seconds from Chord Length Calculator
Chord duration compares a measured chord with a matched shadow speed.
- Lunar Laser Ranging Earth-Moon Distance cm Precision Note Generator
A laser round trip measures two-way propagation time.