Does Jupiter have precession of the equinoxes?

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    Jupiter Precession
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around whether Jupiter experiences precession of the equinoxes, focusing on the implications of its gaseous and liquid composition, the influence of its mass and distance from the Sun, and potential effects from its moons and Saturn. The conversation includes references to academic papers and explores the nature of axial precession.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that precession of the equinoxes occurs only if a planet is at least partially rigid, implying that Jupiter, being primarily gaseous and liquid, would not experience such precession.
  • Another participant counters that Jupiter's mass and distance from the Sun would have little effect on precession, although they acknowledge that its moons and Saturn could have a very slight impact that would be undetectable.
  • A third participant references a paper stating that Jupiter's axial precession has a period of approximately 500,000 years, indicating that rigidity is not a necessary condition for precession.
  • The same participant reiterates the paper's findings, reinforcing the idea that Jupiter can experience axial precession despite its composition.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of rigidity for precession, with some arguing against it while others maintain that it is a relevant factor. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the overall impact of Jupiter's composition on its precession.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the implications of Jupiter's gaseous state on precession, nor does it clarify the extent of influence from external bodies like its moons or Saturn. The references to academic papers introduce additional complexity without definitive conclusions.

Hornbein
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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?
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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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.
 

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