The mass, gravity field, and ephemeris of Mercury

Details The mass, gravity field, and ephemeris of Mercury The mass, gravity field, and ephemeris of Mercury

Sep 1987

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1987icar...71..337a&link_type=abstract

(The Planet Mercury Conference, Tucson, AZ, Aug. 6-9, 1986) Icarus (ISSN 0019-1035), vol. 71, Sept. 1987, p. 337-349.

Computer Science

85

Mass Ratios, Mercury (Planet), Planet Ephemerides, Planetary Gravitation, Planetary Mass, Solar Corona, Computer Programs, High Temperature, Least Squares Method, Mariner 10 Space Probe, Mercury (Planet), Mass, Gravity Fields, Ephemerides, Dopller Methods, Remote Sensing, Spacecraft Observations, Mariner 10, Gravity Properties, Numeric Methods, Harmonics, Anomalies, Analysis, Comparisons, Density, Radio Methods, Calculations, Acceleration, Procedure

Scientific paper

This paper represents a final report on the gravity analysis of radio Doppler and range data generated by the Deep Space Network (DSN) with Mariner 10 during two of its encounters with Mercury in March 1974 and March 1975. A combined least-squares fit to Doppler data from both encounters has resulted in a determination of two second degree gravity harmonics, J2 = (6.0±2.0)×10-5 and C22 = (1.0±0.5)×10-5 referred to an equatorial radius of 2439 km, plus an indication of a gravity anomaly in the region of closest approach of Mariner 10 to Mercury in March 1975 amounting to a mass deficiency of about GM = -0.1 km3 sec-2. The authors obtain a mass GM = 22,032.09±0.91 km3 sec-2 or a Sun to Mercury mass ratio of 6,023,600±250. The corresponding mean density of Mercury is 5.43±0.01 g cm-3. A discussion of the utility of the DSN radio range data obtained with Mariner 10 is included. These data are most applicable to the improvement of the ephemeris of Mercury, in particular the determination of the precession of the perihelion.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The mass, gravity field, and ephemeris of Mercury 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 The mass, gravity field, and ephemeris of Mercury, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The mass, gravity field, and ephemeris of Mercury will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1675585