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Masses of the satellites of Uranus

Abstract

The dynamical theory used to obtain the masses of the uranian satellites from their orbital precession rates contains a fundamental error. The masses can be derived from the precession rates, but a correct analysis of the available data must allow for the fact that the eccentricities, inclinations and precession rates all vary considerably with time, due to mutual secular perturbations.

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Dermott, S., Nicholson, P. Masses of the satellites of Uranus. Nature 319, 115–120 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/319115a0

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