Studying the Properties of Spacetime with an Improved Dynamical Model of the Inner Solar System

Physical properties of the Sun (orientation of rotation axis, oblateness coefficient <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mi>J</mi><mrow><mn>2</mn><mo>⊙</...

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Main Authors: Dmitry Pavlov, Ivan Dolgakov
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Universe
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/10/11/413
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author Dmitry Pavlov
Ivan Dolgakov
author_facet Dmitry Pavlov
Ivan Dolgakov
author_sort Dmitry Pavlov
collection DOAJ
description Physical properties of the Sun (orientation of rotation axis, oblateness coefficient <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mi>J</mi><mrow><mn>2</mn><mo>⊙</mo></mrow></msub></semantics></math></inline-formula>, and change rate of the gravitational parameter <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mover accent="true"><mi>μ</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover><mo>⊙</mo></msub></semantics></math></inline-formula>) are determined using a dynamical model describing the motion of the Sun, planets, the Moon, asteroids, and Trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). Among the many kinds of observations used to determine the orbits and physical properties of the bodies, the most important for our study are precise interplanetary ranging data: Earth–Mercury ranges from MESSENGER spacecraft and Earth–Mars ranges from Odyssey and MRO. The findings allow us to improve the model of the Sun in modern planetary ephemerides. First, the dynamically determined direction of the Sun’s pole is ≈2° off the visible axis of rotation of the Sun’s surface, which is corroborated by present knowledge of the Sun’s interior. Second, the change rate of the Sun’s gravitational parameter is found to be smaller (in absolute value) than the nominal value derived from the estimate of mass loss through radiation and solar wind. Possible interpretations are discussed.
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spelling doaj-art-e3137555e2624a2396f155f33eff1d1e2025-08-20T02:27:40ZengMDPI AGUniverse2218-19972024-11-01101141310.3390/universe10110413Studying the Properties of Spacetime with an Improved Dynamical Model of the Inner Solar SystemDmitry Pavlov0Ivan Dolgakov1Faculty of Computer Science and Technology, St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University, ul. Professora Popova 5, 197022 St. Petersburg, RussiaInstitute of Applied Astronomy RAS, Kutuzov Quay 10, 191187 St. Petersburg, RussiaPhysical properties of the Sun (orientation of rotation axis, oblateness coefficient <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mi>J</mi><mrow><mn>2</mn><mo>⊙</mo></mrow></msub></semantics></math></inline-formula>, and change rate of the gravitational parameter <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mover accent="true"><mi>μ</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover><mo>⊙</mo></msub></semantics></math></inline-formula>) are determined using a dynamical model describing the motion of the Sun, planets, the Moon, asteroids, and Trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). Among the many kinds of observations used to determine the orbits and physical properties of the bodies, the most important for our study are precise interplanetary ranging data: Earth–Mercury ranges from MESSENGER spacecraft and Earth–Mars ranges from Odyssey and MRO. The findings allow us to improve the model of the Sun in modern planetary ephemerides. First, the dynamically determined direction of the Sun’s pole is ≈2° off the visible axis of rotation of the Sun’s surface, which is corroborated by present knowledge of the Sun’s interior. Second, the change rate of the Sun’s gravitational parameter is found to be smaller (in absolute value) than the nominal value derived from the estimate of mass loss through radiation and solar wind. Possible interpretations are discussed.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/10/11/413sunradio astronomygravitational constantplanetary ephemerides
spellingShingle Dmitry Pavlov
Ivan Dolgakov
Studying the Properties of Spacetime with an Improved Dynamical Model of the Inner Solar System
Universe
sun
radio astronomy
gravitational constant
planetary ephemerides
title Studying the Properties of Spacetime with an Improved Dynamical Model of the Inner Solar System
title_full Studying the Properties of Spacetime with an Improved Dynamical Model of the Inner Solar System
title_fullStr Studying the Properties of Spacetime with an Improved Dynamical Model of the Inner Solar System
title_full_unstemmed Studying the Properties of Spacetime with an Improved Dynamical Model of the Inner Solar System
title_short Studying the Properties of Spacetime with an Improved Dynamical Model of the Inner Solar System
title_sort studying the properties of spacetime with an improved dynamical model of the inner solar system
topic sun
radio astronomy
gravitational constant
planetary ephemerides
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/10/11/413
work_keys_str_mv AT dmitrypavlov studyingthepropertiesofspacetimewithanimproveddynamicalmodeloftheinnersolarsystem
AT ivandolgakov studyingthepropertiesofspacetimewithanimproveddynamicalmodeloftheinnersolarsystem