SUMMARY
The forum discussion centers on the variability of the time between consecutive March equinoxes, with a focus on potential causes such as the Earth-Moon barycenter, Earth's axial rotation, general relativity precession, and gravitational influences from other planets. The calculations presented indicate that the barycenter effect could account for a variation of approximately +/- 3 minutes, while the observed variability is around +/- 13 minutes. Participants reference various sources, including Wikipedia articles on equinoxes and the ecliptic coordinate system, to explore these phenomena further.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of celestial mechanics and the Earth's orbital dynamics.
- Familiarity with the concepts of barycenter and axial precession.
- Knowledge of the definitions and calculations related to equinoxes and solstices.
- Basic proficiency in interpreting astronomical data and graphs.
NEXT STEPS
- Research the effects of the Earth-Moon barycenter on orbital mechanics.
- Study the principles of axial precession and its impact on seasonal variations.
- Examine the concept of the tropical year and its differences from the sidereal year.
- Explore Jean Meeus' "Astronomical Algorithms" for detailed calculations related to celestial events.
USEFUL FOR
Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students of celestial mechanics who are interested in the intricacies of equinox timing and the factors influencing Earth's orbit.