New Orbital Elements for Moon and Planets
Abstract
A simultaneous solution is made for the orbital elements of moon and planets. A modern Cowell integrator is used for orbit computations, and least-squares fits are made to some 40,000 optical observations taken since 1913. The model indludes relativistic terms, the leading zonal harmonics of earth and moon, the precession of the lunar equator, and the tidal couple between earth and moon. The solution also yields an extrapolation of the atomic time scale back to 1912.5. This solution is believed to be the only simultaneous improvement of the orbits of moon and planets. The simultaneity is found to be an essential feature in separating the moon's mean motion, the lunar tidal deceleration, and the corrections to the earth rotation rate. It is now possible to refer all astronomical events of the past 60 years to a time with uniform rate, namely the atomic clock system. Considering the long baseline, this model should facilitate the prediction of fast variables, such as the lunar longitude, with considerably increased confidence.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0755164
Entities
People
- C. J. Cohen
- C. Oesterwinter
Organizations
- Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division