New determination of the orbit of Miranda

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

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Celestial Mechanics, Miranda, Natural Satellites, Orbital Elements, Orbital Position Estimation, Uranus (Planet), Ariel, Eccentric Orbits, Gravitational Effects, Parameter Identification, Planetary Orbits, Umbriel, Uranus, Satellites, Miranda, Telescopic Observations, Orbits, Umbriel, Position (Location), Astronomy, Celestial Mechanics, Data, Inclination, Parameters, Mass, Eccentricity, Ariel, Perturbations, Precession, Titania, Period

Scientific paper

Determinations of the orbital elements of Miranda, the innermost satellite of Uranus, which were made subsequent to the determinations of Whitaker and Greenberg (1973) are reported. The present determination is based on observations made during the 1975 and 1977 oppositions with the 155-cm astrometric reflector at Flagstaff Observatory, and during the successive oppositions of 1977, 1978 and 1979 with the Pic-du-Midi 1-m reflector. Comparison of the observed position angles with those predicted from the orbit of Whitaker and Greenberg reveals a discrepancy increasing with time until 1978, indicating the need for an orbital revision. Calculations of a sinusoidal approximation of the residuals in longitude observed in 1948-49 and since 1972 results in a period close to the circulation period of near commensurability between Ariel, Umbriel and Miranda, which may also be interpreted as the gravitational effect of Ariel and Umbriel on Miranda. Determinations of the orbit of Miranda taking into account these gravitational perturbations confirm the previously determined irregularities in inclination and eccentricity. A mass product of Ariel and Umbriel of 1.10 plus or minus 0.25 x 10 to the -10th is also derived. It is noted that observations are continuing to improve the accuracy of the present results.

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