Corrected derivation of astronomical constants from the observations of Eros 1926-1945
Abstract
A new investigation of the motion of Eros and the mass of the earth+moon system (Rabe and Francis 1967) led to the discovery that a conceptual error was committed in the present author's earlier calculation of the mass coefficients (Rabe 1950). It is shown here that the correction of the errors in that earlier paper produces revised values for the reciprocal earth+moon mass of 328863+29 (mean error) or 328875+31, depending on the number of unknowns retained in the solution. These results are in reasonable agreement with the recent radar determinations of the astronomical unit, which point to a mass reciprocal very close to 328900. The corrected probable and mean errors of the masses of the other three inner planets come out much larger than those based on the erroneous coefficients. These masses affect the solution so unfavorably that it appears advisable to eliminate them as unknowns and to consider them as better known from other sources.
- Publication:
-
The Astronomical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 1967
- DOI:
- 10.1086/110351
- Bibcode:
- 1967AJ.....72..852R