Quadrupole moment of the sun and the planetary orbits
Abstract
The orbital planes of the planets do not coincide with the Sun's rotational equator. This should be taken into account when calculating the effect of the Sun's quadrupole moment of mass on the planetary orbits. With the current planetary data and a recent value of J2, the differences between the exact results and the results of the equations using the approximation of coincident planes are not significant. However, they may well become significant should the accuracy of the planetary data improve or a larger value of J2 be found.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- December 1983
- DOI:
- 10.1086/184174
- Bibcode:
- 1983ApJ...275L..77C
- Keywords:
-
- Celestial Mechanics;
- Planetary Orbits;
- Quadrupoles;
- Solar Rotation;
- Terrestrial Planets;
- Earth (Planet);
- Icarus Asteroid;
- Mercury (Planet);
- Orbital Elements;
- Venus (Planet);
- Astronomy