Does Jupiter have precession of the equinoxes?

Hornbein · Dec 11, 2015

I would think that precession of the equinoxes occurs only if the planet is at least partially rigid. Since Jupiter is gas and liquid, it would not experience precession of the equinoxes. Is this right?

AdamAutism1998 · Dec 11, 2015

Likely not. It's mass and distance from the Sun would have little effect. Although it could VERY slightly be altered by the moons and Saturn, we wouldn't be able to detect it.

Janus · Dec 11, 2015

According to this paper: http://astro.cornell.edu/academics/courses/astro6570/Precession_Free_and_Forced.pdf, Jupiter's axial precession has a period of ~500,000 yrs.

Hornbein · Dec 11, 2015

Janus said:

According to this paper: http://astro.cornell.edu/academics/courses/astro6570/Precession_Free_and_Forced.pdf, Jupiter's axial precession has a period of ~500,000 yrs.

So rigidity isn't necessary. Thank you.

Does Jupiter have precession of the equinoxes?

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