An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics · Problem 1.9

Celestial Mechanics — Carroll & Ostlie

Physics — Astrophysics · precession-proper-motion

Problem

(a) Using the information in Problem 1.8, precess the coordinates of Proxima Centauri to epoch J2010.0. (b) The proper motion of Proxima Centauri is

3.84''\,\mathrm{yr}^{-1}

with the position angle

282^\circ

. Calculate the change in

\alpha

and

\delta

due to proper motion between 2000.0 and 2010.0. (c) Which effect makes the largest contribution to changes in the coordinates of Proxima Centauri: precession or proper motion?

Related theory

Proper Time And Proper Length

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