Accuracy limit of modern ephemerides imposed by the uncertainties in asteroid masses

Details Accuracy limit of modern ephemerides imposed by the uncertainties in asteroid masses Accuracy limit of modern ephemerides imposed by the uncertainties in asteroid masses

Mar 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002a%26a...384..322s&link_type=abstract

Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.384, p.322-328 (2002)

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

20

Astrometry, Celestial Mechanics, Ephemerides, Solar System: Minor Planets, Planets And Satelites: General

Scientific paper

Accuracy limits in the ephemerides of the four inner planets, imposed by uncertainties in the masses of the asteroids, are investigated and illustrated. We consider present-day knowledge of the asteroid masses (determined by the IRAS survey, direct dynamical determinations, ground-based photometry, occultations, etc.), and we model the distribution of those masses. This distribution is then used in a Monte Carlo study, repeatedly adjusting the ephemerides to fit the observational data, each time using a different, but equally-likely, set of asteroid masses. The differences in the resulting ephemerides are shown. If the full inherent weighting of the highly accurate ranging data is used, stretching over more than two decades, the orbits become distorted in right ascension and declination - as much as 5 kilometers or more. If the ranging is de-weighted to a level equivalent to the other two coordinates (1-2 mas, determined by VLBI), then a reasonable ephemeris results, showing uncertainties of 2-3 kilometers. It is also possible to produce an ephemeris which will extrapolate a year or so into the future at the sub-kilometer level (as is often required for spacecraft navigation). This can be done by fully-weighting only the recent observational data. However, the ephemeris farther from the fitting interval is seen to deteriorate rapidly.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Accuracy limit of modern ephemerides imposed by the uncertainties in asteroid masses does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Accuracy limit of modern ephemerides imposed by the uncertainties in asteroid masses, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Accuracy limit of modern ephemerides imposed by the uncertainties in asteroid masses will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1407105