Mass of the Earth-Moon System from Observations of Eros, 1893-1966
Abstract
A precise value of the mass of the earth-moon system relative to that of the sun is determined from an analysis of the motion of the minor planet (433) Eros. The 8639 observations which are included in the analysis extend in time from the prediscovery positions of 1893 to observations made in 1966. The obser- vations, made at 85 observatories and based upon 106 different star catalogues, are reduced to the system of the Fourth Fundamental Catalogue. The equations of motion of the nine principal planets and Eros are integrated numerically in rectangular coordinates by the Adams- method with an n-body computer program. Accurate orbits for the nine principal planets are obtained for the period 1800-2000 from a com- parison of the numerically integrated coordinates with those derived from classical astronomical ephe- merides. The first-order variational equations are integrated numerically along with the n-body equations of motion. The definitive value of the mass of the earth-moon system adopted from the investigation is S/(E+M) = 328 (standard deviation), which corresponds to values of the solar parallax and the astronomical unit given by o = 8'.'79402+0'.'00012 and A =149600400+800 km.
- Publication:
-
The Astronomical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 1968
- DOI:
- 10.1086/110672
- Bibcode:
- 1968AJ.....73..628L