Argument of latitude explained

In celestial mechanics, the argument of latitude (

u ) is an angular parameter that defines the position of a body moving along a Kepler orbit. It is the angle between the ascending node and the body.

It is the sum of the more commonly used true anomaly and argument of periapsis.

u = \nu + \omega

where

u is the argument of latitude, \nu the true anomaly, and \omega the argument of periapsis.

References

• Wakker, K. F. (2007). "Astrodynamics", Delft University of Technology.