Re: Reduced mass problem

[Leigh Palmer <palmer@sfu.ca>]

If two
> orbiting objects, of similar mass, like Pluto and its moon, Charon, are
> treated using a reduced mass scenario, how do you then calculate the
> eccentricities of the individual bodies' orbits?

The orbits are similar figures, ellipses confocal on the center of
mass with their empty foci on opposite sides. They orbit according
to the equation you used: m1 r2 = m2 r1, always opposite one
another with respect to the center of mass. They have identical
eccentricities in the center of mass frame.

Leigh