Astronomical Constants
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Astronomical Constants
1. The elements of the orbits of the bodies of the solar system,
their masses relative to the sun, their size, shape, orientation,
rotation, and inner constitution, and the velocity of light.
2. =
system of astronomical
constants.
The astronomical constants used in the calculations of
The American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac, as well as other
national ephemerides, were adopted at various times between 1896
and 1930. Although the system was known to contain many inconsistencies,
the International Astronomical Union recommended their continued
use in 1952. Space-related research has provided data for the
computation of a more accurate system, and in January 1964 The
Working Group on the System of Astronomical Constants recommended
a new system of constants to be introduced into the national and
international ephemerides at the earliest practicable date. Both
the conventional and revised systems are given in
Table II. The constants in
Table III were recommended for use in trajectory
calculations for NASA programs by the Ad Hoc NASA Standards Constants
Committee May 16, 1963.
References
This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use
