Improved Method for Orbital Elements Differential Correction.

Abstract

As was pointed out by IAU in 1976, an important problem in fundamental astronomy is the improvement of the vernal equinox and equator positions. To this aim, it is necessary to know the accurate values of minor planets orbital elements. The classical methods of orbital elements differential corrections are based on linking the observations at different epochs considering equal derivatives respect to the initial and osculating elements.

In this paper we present an improved method in which the least squares matrix coefficients is calculated from the integration of the Lagrange planetary equations and its derivatives.