Perturbing Potential and Orbit Dynamics

This article checks a perturbing gravitational potential, with some orbit dynamics parameters: the angular precession at each single point of any elliptic orbit, the increase of the eccentricity of the Moon and the secular increase of the Astronomical Unit. This potential is consistent with the solution of the precession of Mercury, event which was the first success of General Relativity, and now is near to reach its first centenary. We suggest in this paper to update the classic test of G.R., studying the gradual progression of precession, not only in its perihelion but testing a complete trajectory around the Sun. We will set an inertial frame with the origin in the bary-centre of the Sun-Mercury system, and not in the bary-centre of the solar system; this is because we are going to examine Mercury's orbit as a geodesic free-fall path, isolated from other planets gravitational interference. Potential   P  is defined as a slight perturbation to the Newtonian gravitational potential, linked with the radial velocity of the target. We also assume potential's transmission velocity, equal to that of light (c). Consider a target with a radial speed Vr related to the inertial frame, moving in the same forward direction as the potential. The transit time of the potential crossing through the target, will be larger related with the transit time when the object is in a rest position and will decrease , if they are moving in opposite directions. The larger or reduced transit time between target and potential , is proportional to (Vr/c). Be t 1 the transit time of a potential crossing through an object. If the target moves in the same forward direction as the potential, the transit time t 2 will be larger than t 1 and will have the following expression, only acceptable if (leaving aside second order terms in magnitude , as radial acceleration): Vr c  1 Vr t c   2 2 t c t    (1) 2 1 1 t t Vr c Vr t c c Vr c       (2) This coefficient 2 1 1 t t t        , is the dimensionless ratio of the new real disturbing time (t 2 – t 1) related to the unperturbed transit time (t 1). The new gravitational potential is equal to the Newto-nian, added with …


Perturbing Gravitational Potential P( )
We will set an inertial frame with the origin in the barycentre of the Sun-Mercury system, and not in the barycentre of the solar system; this is because we are going to examine Mercury's orbit as a geodesic free-fall path, isolated from other planets gravitational interference.
Potential   P  is defined as a slight perturbation to the Newtonian gravitational potential, linked with the radial velocity of the target.We also assume potential's transmission velocity, equal to that of light (c).
Consider a target with a radial speed Vr related to the inertial frame, moving in the same forward direction as the potential.The transit time of the potential crossing through the target, will be larger related with the transit time when the object is in a rest position and will decrease, if they are moving in opposite directions.The larger or reduced transit time between target and potential, is proportional to (Vr/c).
Be t 1 the transit time of a potential crossing through an object.If the target moves in the same forward direction as the potential, the transit time t 2 will be larger than t 1 and will have the following expression, only acceptable if (leaving aside second order terms in magnitude, as radial acceleration): (2) , is the dimensionless ra-tio of the new real disturbing time (t 2 -t 1 ) related to the unperturbed transit time (t 1 ).
The new gravitational potential is equal to the Newtonian, added with a perturbing action proportional to Since the potential is an energy field with work characteristics, the perturbance is proportional to the square of time as it is the product of the acceleration by distance.The disturbance is not linear with time nor with the radial distance.It is also necessary to accept that as quantum electrodynamic iteration, the intensity is pro- The motion of particles in an external gravitational field with a Maxwell framework, is in first order equivalent to a dynamic system linked with (v/c) 2 .[1] .
Perturbing potential is then defined as: where  = true anomaly.
(same sign as gravity) for As the Newtonian field, potential  has a clear physical basis, consistent with the laws of impulse and momentum transfer, energy conservation and the action/ reaction effect of the usual mechanics.There is not therefore a new potential but the same classic gravitational field, perturbed by an action that increases/decreases slightly the force of gravity: the target has a radial speed.
Point out that, if we apply potential  to any per- fect sphere or any compact three-dimension target (instead of a single particle), the resultant ratio is three times (Vr/c) 2 as we will conclude in Paragraph 5.

Equations of Motion of Mercury Induced by
Any small perturbing potential applied to a target in a keplerian ellipse, produces slight changes to the orbital parameters, first of all a precession, besides other minor actions such as the increase/decrease of the orbital axis and eccentricity.
Consider   as the instantaneous angular preces- sion at each single point of the Newtonian ellipse.Precession will reach a final value (Δ) at the end of one orbit as result of its gradual accumulation.We will use Landau & Lifshitz formulation [2], which defines the precession produced by a perturbing potential.This formula is valid as a theorem, suitable for any small perturbation whatever could be its physical origin and returning the exact value.Integration is performed over an unperturbed orbit [3] (Using Langrange Planetary Equations, we reach a very similar result).
where M = m h = angular momentum, δU = perturbing potential Energy =  .Then, the instantaneous precession referred to  is: where h = angular momentum per unit of mass.Applied to any elliptic orbit and a planet like Mercury: where e = eccentricity ; p = semi-latus derivates referred to h are: and then:

GM e e c p e
Final orbital precession Δ(2π), has the same ever could be the eccentricity (e > 0), and is exactly the final one (11) value what orbit precession of: The resultant one orbit precession produced turbing potential by per-

 
S  applied to Mercury and liptic orbit, is any eljust exactly the same precession obtained by General Relativity in 1.915, which explained the anomaly discovered by LeVerrier in 1.859.
The question now, is how such action is achieved throughout the 88-days orbital period and what are the theoretical assumptions about the sequential and gradual progression of precession along the orbit.Potential   S  , and GR produce exactly the same final one orbit precession, however the equations of motion are not the same therefore, the instantaneous precession at each single point of the elliptic orbit is different.The instantaneous precession produced by   S  , is not constant nor linear, causing an angular lead/lag (Ω) related to the fixed and linear GR precession.
Along the upward branch of the orbit, as Mercury moves away from the Sun, the radial velocity has the same forward direction as the gravitational potential, so perturbing acceleration increases gravity.Perturbing acceleration is directed inward the orbit, so Mercury will move inward in relation with the position it should occupy in the keplerian ellipse.
That means that the equilibrium position is located in a point nearer to the Sun: a "previous" point of the canonical trajectory.That is why the orbit, as a whole unperturbed ellipse, must then rotate a forward angle: a positive instantaneous precession     , whose amount is determined by Landau & Lifshitz formulation (Equa-tions (10) and ( 11)).
Along the descending branch of t orbit, Mercury comes closer to the Sun with a radial speed opposite to the gravitational pote he ntial, therefore perturbing acceleration, decreases gravity.The perturbing acceleration is directed outside the orbit, so Mercury will move outward in relation with the position it should occupy in the keplerian ellipse; the equilibrium position is located in a farther point to the Sun: a "previous" point of the canonical ellipse.The orbit must rotate also a forward angle: a positive instantaneous precession.
As seen in Figure 1, (graphic expression of Equations ward advance in both branches of the orbit.This is because perturbing potential produces a e position which is alwa cated in a "previous" point in the keplerian trajectory (Figure 2), and therefore precession is always positive and also with symmetrical magnitude about the major axis.
In nearly all General Relativity textbooks and articles, the trajectory is defined starting from the Schwarzschild solution, in a geometr mmetry.On that basis, the equation of the trajectory of Mercury, and any other elliptic orbit is: where     is a small function that pro orbit differences, from the Newtonian orbit precession.The classic relativity textbook "Graviby W.
duces the GR kepler-ellipse: an tation" Misner [5], concludes in a linear progresssion: As result of it, GR instantaneous pre with a fixe related to cession is steady, d ratio  , so that the advance along rbit inear accumulation till its final value (F ir elliptical integral: one o , has a l igure 1).This particular solution with a constant angular precession was, the f st result obtained by Einstein in 1915 [6]: "...That contribution from the radius vector and described angle between the perihelion and the aphelion is obtained from the insignificant contributions and their only effect is to change slightly the position of the perihelion and the interpretation of r min and e [7].
The most extended and accepted formulation of GR orbit fluctuations is:   also produces very small oscillations but in magnitude, are 1/30 related with those ed by produc   S  n a par-potential.There are also other prop sed i ticular so osals ba lution of the Schwarzschild's methodo-logical approaches [9].
The peak instantaneous precession produced by   S  is at  = 1.73 rad,  = 4.56 rad, very close to the peak values of Vr (Figure 2).maximum angular lead/lag is at  = 5.42 rad and  = 0.85 rad, with Ω = ± 0.54 rad related to the fixed and linear GR precession.
The peak positional lead/lag of Mercury, would happen in A [ K   = 2.46 rad] and B [  = 3.82 rad].This is because in these points, the radius is larger.
In case A, Mercury would be in a forward position regarding a GR precession.This relative position would be i = 2.4  10 3 m (transversal vector) and j = -0.36 10 3 m (radial vector), magnitudes which would be equal but with opposite sign in B. Also point out that in about 21 days, Mercury would move from the peak forward position (A) to the most delayed (B), always referred to the relative location with a constant GR precession.
Spacecraft Messenger has begun to orbit Mercury past March 18 (2011), and during two years, both will make 8.4 revolutions around the Sun.That event should afterwards allow to measure and draw accurately the geometry of the whole orbit of Mercury, as an open geodesic free-fall path, isolated from other planets gravitational interference.Another alternative is to wait till the Bepi-Colombo be launched in 2015, an European mission to Mercury where, testing relativistic gravity is recognized as a crucial scientific objective.

The Increase of Eccentricity of the Orbit of the Moon
This increase has recently been presented [10], collecting 9 lo w the data extracted by the Lunar Laser Ranging along 3 years since its deployment in the Moon by the Apol missions.
The increase is: (9 ± 3)  10 −12 /year [11,12].We will analyse the effects of a small perturbing acceleration over the eccentricity of any elliptic orbit.According to Gauss Planetary Equations, (only acceptable hen 1 e  and low orbit inclination), the eccentricity variation, is linked with the perturbing acceleration, whatever could be its physical origin: where A r is the radial perturbing acceleration.The perturbing acceleration is the derivative of the perturbing potential   S  related to r, th to obtain the Newtonian acceleration from et have the e same as we do the classic gravitational field.All the particles of the targ same perturbing acceleration whatever they are located in the body: where Ar > 0 (same sign as gravity) for 0 π

  
For a Keplerian ellipse, we have also: The Earth/Moon param m 3 s -2 ; e = 0.0549; a = 3.84 it is: and referred to a year:

consistent with the data d by astr
The Increase of the Astronomical Unit The increase of the Astronomical Unit was analysed by Krasinsky [13] however, there is not a clear explanation of its origin.The increase is: 15 ± 4 cm/year.
Perturbing potential   S  produces an increase in the semi-major axis of the ellipse that, according to Gauss Planetary Equations, will have the following expression: If we apply Gauss equations to the orbit of other planets, these would be only acceptable for those with a very low eccentricity.In other cases with higher eccentricity orbits, (as Mercury), the Gauss planetary equations and others related [1 ate, appl is a perturbation of the classic gravitational poten-tial due to the higher/lower pulse of time that implies a radial velocity of the target.The coefficient (Vr/c) 2 , is a a radial velocity dimensionless ratio which defines the relation between the applied potential to one particle that moves with related with another with a perfect circular orbit.Instead of a particle, we will consider a solid sphere and the perturbing potential   S  transit action (Figure 3).The trasmission coefficient is different.
Be t 1 the transit time of the potential through the equatorial diameter of the sphere, when the target is moving in a perfect circular orbit.When the target has a radial velocity Vr (elliptic orbit), the force of gravity associated with the potential, should produce and transmit during t 1 , a larger quantity of energy-work than before; the distance travelled has been enlarge with a new length of Vr  t 1 producing a very small increase of the sphere's active volume, linked with the perturbing action: A 1  Vr  t 1 (Figure 3) In order to distribute this new energy, balanced between all the particles of the target, we must consider: a) Energy (E) transmitted is in direct proportion to the spherical surface (A 1 ).
b) Not all the diameters have the maximum length as in the equator.
c) The coefficient only compares the perturbing action regarding the initial situation.d) Distribution of the "perturbing action" volume, between the total volume of the sphere.
Therefore, the coefficient k will be: Newtonian gravitational potential, linked with the radial velocity of the target.The larger or reduced transit time between target and potential, is proportional to ±(Vr/c), coefficient that gives the relative increase or reduction ratio related with a particle-target in a rest position or a perfect circular movement.There is not therefore a new potential but the same classic field, perturbed by an action that increases/decreases slightly the force of gravity: the target has a radial speed.Applied to the orbit of Mercury, produces exactly the same one orbit secular precession deduced by General Relativity; however, the equations of motion are not the same, and that means differences in the instantaneous angular precession.The instantaneous precession, could Does these theoretic proposals suit with the complete geodesic trajectory of Mercury? tion curves of spiral galaxies.It would be appro- 10 and 11), the instantaneous precession     produced by potential   S  , is always positive, producing a forstabl ys lo y and a space-time with spherical sy

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. Instantaneous precession dynamics.Keplerian and perturbed orbit.Vr = radial velocity.a nw = Newtonian acceleration.a p = perturbing acceleration.P 1 = Position in Ar < 0 for π 2π    .If we develop Equation (17) and change deriv related to time (t) with that related to atives 

S
 always produces a positive an about the axis of the ellipse.If we consider the sign of Ar in d symmetrical effect each branch of the orbit, we can integrate between 0 and π with a double factor.
Sun parameters are: GM = 13.27 10 19 m 3 s -2 ; e = 0can conclude that the i nit produced by potential   S  applied to the , is con t with the data obtained by astronomical detection through the a ric measurements of distances betwee m 4], are not appropri ied to orbit of the Earth sisten nalysis of radiometn the Earth and the ajor planets including observations from Martian orbiters from 1.971.

Figure 3 .
Figure 3. Perturbing potential action through a three dimension solid sphere with a radial velocity (Vr).

S
 potential produces a similar effect as the observe flat rota d with spiral galaxies, d but priate to complete the studies relate now, with these new   S  potential proposals.