Gauss' Planetary Equations in a Non-Singular Potential
Ioannis Iraklis Haranas
Omiros Ragos
Keywords: Gauss' planetary equations, non-singular potential, Grace
We study the effects of a non-singular gravitational potential on satellite orbits calculating the corresponding changes of its orbital elements, using Gauss' planetary equations. We derive two non-zero expressions for the changes of the argument of the perigee and the mean anomaly, and we compare them to those derived by the general theory relativity. Using the GRACE satellite system, we obtain numerical results from which we conclude that the effect of such a potential, on the perigee cannot be separated from that of general relativity. Furthermore we conclude that the effect on the mean anomaly can probably be observed by today's technology.
