Dynamical Equinox and Analytical Theory of the Sun

Abstract

A concept of dynamical equinox and its relation to the analytical form of the adopted theory of the Sun is discussed. Connection between the FK4 equinox and the dynamical equinox is determined by comparing two analytical theories of the Sun (the adopted Newcomb’s theory and a new one (AT-1) constructed at the Instituted of Theoretical Astronomy) with solar meridian observations made at US Naval Observatory (1911–1971 yr.). Corrections Δα to the FK4 right ascensions, Δδ_O to declinations and Δε to the angle between the equator and the ecliptic are:

$$ A\alpha = \begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {{0^s}.024 \pm {0^s}.003 - \left( {{0^s}.003 \pm {0^s}.023} \right)*\left( {T - 19.40} \right){\text{ Newcomb}}} \\ {{0^s}.032 \pm {0^s}.003 - \left( {{0^s}.0012 \pm {0^s}.022} \right)*\left( {T - 19.40} \right){\text{ AT - 1 }}} \end{array} $$

$$ \begin{gathered} \Delta {{\delta }_{0}} = 0_{.}^{}25\pm 0_{.}^{}02 + (0_{.}^{}67\pm 0_{.}^{}07)*(T - 19.40)\quad Newcomb \hfill \\ \quad \quad \;\;0_{.}^{}25\pm 0_{.}^{}02 + (0_{.}^{}67\pm 0_{.}^{}07)*(T - 19.40)\quad AT - 1 \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$

$$ \begin{gathered} \Delta \varepsilon = 0_{.}^{}26\pm 0_{.}^{}01 + (0_{.}^{}12\pm 0_{.}^{}09)*(T - 19.40)\quad Newcomb \hfill \\ \quad \quad {\kern 1pt} 0_{.}^{}30\pm 0_{.}^{}01 + ({\kern 1pt} 0_{.}^{}17\pm 0_{.}^{}08)*(T - 19.40)\quad AT - 1 \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$

Secular variations in Δα and Δε may be explained by improvement of observational conditions after reconstruction of the telescope pavilion in the forties.