Visualization of Mercury's Orbital Path Around the Sun Using Matlab for Astronomic Distance Learning

Abstract

Physical phenomena occurring at both macro and micro scales are often beyond direct observation by the human senses. This study aims to present an alternative astronomical learning activity about the orbital trajectory of the planet Mercury around the Sun using MATLAB assistance. Visualization of the orbital trajectory of Mercury begins by describing the appropriate mathematical equations. Subsequently, these equations are translated into graphical representations using MATLAB for visualization. In this study, students can visualize the orbital trajectory of Mercury around the Sun using MATLAB by varying the components of the coordinate equation. Through this visualization, it is hoped that it can help students understand the movement of Mercury around the Sun in its orbit independently and creatively. Students can also develop mathematical representation skills and visual representations of the orbital trajectory of Mercury around the Sun.