argument of latitude

{{Short description|Angular parameter in celestial mechanics}}

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.

$u\; =\; \backslash nu\; +\; \backslash omega$

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