On a New Analytic Theory of the Moon's Motion III: Further Corrections

Abstract

Further corrections to the analytic theory of the lunar motion deduced from the first-order approximation to the Lagrange equations of the Sun-Earth-Moon system expressed in relative coordinates and accelerations are evaluated. Those terms arising from the second-order approximation, the planetary perturbations and Earth’s spheroidal shape are calculated and bounded, all of them being very small. Finally, Earth’s gravitational parameter is calculated from gravity data finding a value slightly higher than that provided by Jet Propulsion Laboratory.