English

Simple calculation of the Moon apsides motion

Classical Physics 2023-10-10 v1 Earth and Planetary Astrophysics

Abstract

A simple and clear method is proposed to calculate the averaged motion of the apsis line in the Moon orbit. The obtained result is 31123^{\circ}1'12'' for the starry period of the Moon revolution around the Earth or 40224840^{\circ}22'48'' per year. The modern observed value of the latter quantity is 404140^{\circ}41' per year. In "Principia" Newton derived 131281^{\circ}31'28'' for the Moon month and 201220^{\circ}12'' per year. That is approximately two times less than the observable values. Unlike the Newton approach we use a simple and obvious averaging of the Sun disturbing force for the starry period of the Moon revolution around the Earth. The applicability of the obtained formulae to satellites of other planets and to the planets themselves is grounded. Comparing Newton's calculation with our method we reveal the reason, rather convincing, that brings Newton to inadequate result.

Cite

@article{arxiv.2310.05584,
  title  = {Simple calculation of the Moon apsides motion},
  author = {V. V. Nesterenko},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2310.05584},
  year   = {2023}
}

Comments

13 pages, 1 figure

R2 v1 2026-06-28T12:44:28.560Z