Composition-dependent corrections to the perihelion precession of Mercury [31.03.

2024
(true mass of Mercury); 01.04.2024 (Venus); 02.04.2024 (Mars, Jupiter & Saturn); 03.04.2024
(Uranus & Neptune); 02.05.2024 (calculated contribution of Mars on Jupiter); 03.05.2024 (using
most precise values from NASA for the semi-major axis of each planet); 04.05.2024 (inertial
masses with 𝐺-value geometric mean ratios); 19.05.2024 (perihelion precession of Mercury with
99.97% agreement); 22.05.2024 (applying known factor; 99.98% agreement); 14.07.2024 (other
observed values)]

Sponsored by: Janine Hofmann (Swiss).

As we saw at the end of chapter 6.4, the true inertial masses of the Sun and the planets are
different from what Newtonian physics predicts. There we only calculated the true mass of the
Earth, the Moon and the Sun, as examples, because we did not try to use those masses for any
directly testable predictions. A way of testing the inertial mass of a planet is by using it to
calculate the perihelion precession of other planets.

Relativistic corrections are not composition-dependent, as they only depend on the strength of
the gravitational field in every point in space. They are therefore identical between general
relativity and space particle dualism and shall therefore not concern us here.

We can calculate the perihelion precession of any planet by treating all other planets as
concentric rings around the Sun. This is a reasonable approximation, because the perihelion
precession is a very slow process. For instance, it takes 41,000 years for the perihelion of the
Earth to make a full revolution around the sun. In this time the other planets will have revolved
around the Sun countless times and so their gravity can be reasonably approximated by the
gravity of rings with the masses of the respective planets.

Let 𝑎 be the distance of the planet of interest from the sun and let 𝑟 be the distance of the
influencing planet from the sun, then the gravitational potential of the influencing planet can be
modelled as a uniform ring with the radius 𝑟. For the case 𝑟 > 𝑎 we get:1

√𝐺𝑀 𝐺𝑚 𝑀 𝑎 𝑛+1
𝛷 (𝑟 ) = − ∑ [𝑃𝑛 (0)]2 ( )
𝑎 𝑟
𝑛=0,∞

We furthermore note that 𝑀 is the mass of the influencing planet, and 𝐺𝑀 is its 𝐺-value. While
the mass 𝑚 of the planet of interest is not in this equation, its 𝐺-value 𝐺𝑚 is.

𝑃𝑛 (𝑥 ) is the Legendre polynomial. It is given by: 2

1 𝑑𝑛
𝑃𝑛 (𝑥 ) = (𝑥 2 − 1)𝑛
2𝑛 𝑛! 𝑑 𝑥 𝑛

When we set 𝑥 = 0 and square it, we get:

0 → 1 → 1
 1 → 0 → 0
2 → −1/2 → 1/4
3 → 0 → 0
4 → 3/8 → 9/64
5 → 0 → 0
6 → −5/16 → 25/256
7 → 0 → 0
8 → 35/128 → 1,225/16,384
9 → 0 → 0
10 → −63/256 → 3,969/65,536

Or:

1 + 0.25 + 0.140625 + 0.09765625 + 0.07476806640 + 0.0605621337890 + ⋯

This yields:

√𝐺𝑀 𝐺𝑚 𝑀 1 𝑎 2 9 𝑎 4
𝛷 (𝑟 ) = − [1 + ( ) + ( ) + …]
𝑟 4 𝑟 64 𝑟

When 𝑎 < 𝑟, then:

√𝐺𝑀 𝐺𝑚 𝑀 𝑟 𝑛+1
𝛷 (𝑟 ) = − ∑ [𝑃𝑛 (0)]2 ( )
𝑎 𝑎
𝑛=0,∞

Giving:

√𝐺𝑀 𝐺𝑚 𝑀 1 𝑟 2 9 𝑟 4
𝛷 (𝑟 ) = − [1 + ( ) + ( ) + …]
𝑎 4 𝑎 64 𝑎

As a next step we have to incorporate the gravity of the Sun, and we have to account for the
gravity of all influencing planet, not just one. For that purpose, we can index the planets with
numbers from 1 to 8 , in ascending order starting from Mercury. Hereby the index i shall
represent the planet of interest and the index j any influencing planet.3

From above it follows that the gravitational potential that the ith planet is subjected to is given by:
2 4
√𝐺☉ 𝐺i 𝑀☉ 𝑀j 1 𝑅j 9 𝑅j
𝛷 (𝑅i ) = − − √𝐺𝑗 𝐺i ∑ [1 + ( ) + ( ) + …]
𝑅i 𝑅i 4 𝑅i 64 𝑅i
j<i

2 4
𝑀j 1 𝑅i 9 𝑅i
− √𝐺𝑗 𝐺i ∑ [1 + ( ) + ( ) + …]
𝑅j 4 𝑅j 64 𝑅j
j>i
The radial force per unit mass acting on the ith planet is obtained by differentiating the above
equation:

2 4
√𝐺☉ 𝐺i 𝑀☉ 𝑀j 3 𝑅j 45 𝑅j
𝑓 (𝑅i ) = − − √𝐺𝑗 𝐺i ∑ 2 [1 + ( ) + ( ) + …]
𝑅i2 𝑅i 4 𝑅i 64 𝑅i
j<i

2 4
𝑀j 1 𝑅i 9 𝑅i
− √𝐺𝑗 𝐺i ∑ [ ( ) + ( ) + …]
𝑅j 2 𝑅j 16 𝑅j
j>i

This has to now be differentiated again, and multiplied with 𝑅i :

2 4
′(
√𝐺☉ 𝐺i 𝑀☉ 𝑀j 9 𝑅j 225 𝑅j
𝑅i 𝑓 𝑅i ) = − − √𝐺𝑗 𝐺i ∑ 2 [1 + ( ) + ( ) + …]
𝑅i2 𝑅i 4 𝑅i 64 𝑅i
j<i

2 4
𝑀j 1 𝑅i 9 𝑅i
− √𝐺𝑗 𝐺i ∑ [ ( ) + ( ) + …]
𝑅j 2 𝑅j 4 𝑅j
j>i

We can now apply the formula for the apsidal angle ψ, which is given by:

1⁄2
𝛵 𝑓 ′(𝑟c )
ψ = ̇
θ = π [3 + 𝑟c ]
2 𝑟c

Doing so yields:

3 √𝐺j 𝐺i 𝑀j 𝑅j 2 15 𝑅j
2
175 𝑅j
4
ψi = π {1 + ∑ ( ) ( ) [1 + ( ) + ( ) + ⋯]
4 √ 𝐺☉ 𝐺i 𝑀☉
𝑅i 8 𝑅i 64 𝑅i
j<i
3 2 4
3 √𝐺j 𝐺i 𝑀j 𝑅i 15 𝑅i 175 𝑅i
+ ∑( ) ( ) [1 + ( ) + ( ) + ⋯ ]}
4 √ 𝐺 𝐺
☉ i ☉𝑀 𝑅j 8 𝑅j 64 𝑅j
j>i

Hence, the perihelion of the ith planet advances by:

3π √𝐺j 𝐺i 𝑀j 𝑅j 2 15 𝑅j
2
175 𝑅j
4
δψi = ∑( ) ( ) [1 + ( ) + ( ) + ⋯]
2 √ 𝐺☉ 𝐺i 𝑀☉
𝑅i 8 𝑅i 64 𝑅i
j<i
3 2 4
3π √𝐺j 𝐺i 𝑀j 𝑅i 15 𝑅i 175 𝑅i
+ ∑( ) ( ) [1 + ( ) + ( ) + ⋯]
2 √ 𝐺☉ 𝐺i 𝑀☉
𝑅j 8 𝑅j 64 𝑅j
j>i

In order to use the above equation, we have to first calculate the 𝐺-values of all the planets in the
solar system as well as the Sun.
 SPD-mass and 𝑮-value of the Sun

Composition by mass:4, 5
75% H & 25% He.

Atomic percentages:
H: 750 u⁄1.00797094202616217 = 744.06906859080223221
He: 250 u⁄4.002601280982135674 = 62.459381399752216476

H: 744.06906859080223221⁄806.52844999055444869 = 92.255774560651431296%
He: 62.459381399752216476⁄806.52844999055444869 = 7.7442254393485687037%

Inertial mass of the Sun:

(0.92255774560651431296 × 1.00797094202616217)
+ (0.077442254393485687037 × 4.002601280982135674)
= 1.2398818665500409413

Gravitational mass of the Sun:

(0.92255774560651431296 × 1.007422726425)
+ (0.077442254393485687037 × 4.03188092267)
= 1.2416435874610681475

𝐺-value:
1.2416435874610681475
6.613511 × = 6.622908 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2
1.2398818665500409413

GR-mass: (1.98847 ± 0.00007) × 1030 kg

SPD-mass:
𝑀GR × 𝐺CODATA
= 2.00390 × 1030 kg
𝐺☿

SPD-mass and 𝑮-value of Mercury

Composition of the mantle and the crust by mass:6

SiO2 : 45.35 − 1.125 = 44.225%
Al2 O2 : 5.55%
MgO: 44.15 − 1.125 = 43.025%
FeO: 3.7%
CaO: 3.5%

Composition of the core by mass:

Fe: 94.5%
Ni: 5.5%
 Mantle and Crust: 33.6%
Core: 66.4%

Overall composition by mass:

Fe: 62.748%
Ni: 3.652%
SiO2 : 14.8596%
Al2 O2 : 1.8648%
MgO: 14.4564%
FeO: 1.2432%
CaO: 1.176%

Total atomic inertial mass:

18.517901564050834371 u

Atomic percentages:
Fe: 627.48 u⁄(55.845144405992 𝑚tot ) = 60.676804150422713945%
Ni: 36.52 u⁄(58.693351562448 𝑚tot ) = 3.3600836391209103277%
SiO2 : 148.596 u⁄(60.084610236571943396 𝑚tot ) = 13.355252380509502569%
Al2 O2 : 18.648 u⁄(85.961878667785843396 𝑚tot ) = 1.1714792245212117203%
MgO: 144.564 u⁄(40.304252781902921698 𝑚tot) = 19.369459910883401464%
FeO: 12.432 u⁄(71.844545329884921698 𝑚tot ) = 0.93444862559603270045%
CaO: 11.76 u⁄(56.077423436775581698 𝑚tot ) = 1.1324720689462272752%

Inertial mass of the planet Mercury:

(0.60676804150422713945 × 55.845144405992)
+ (0.033600836391209103277 × 58.693351562448)
+ (0.13355252380509502569 × 60.084610236571943396)
+ (0.011714792245212117203 × 85.961878667785843396)
+ (0.19369459910883401464 × 40.304252781902921698)
+ (0.0093444862559603270045 × 71.844545329884921698)
+ (0.011324720689462272752 × 56.077423436775581698)
= 54.001799099165729453

Gravitational mass of the planet Mercury:

(0.60676804150422713945 × 56.35828776345)
+ (0.033600836391209103277 × 59.229847877375)
+ (0.13355252380509502569 × 60.59721815408)
+ (0.011714792245212117203 × 86.69590130908)
+ (0.19369459910883401464 × 40.64611698454)
+ (0.0093444862559603270045 × 72.49033430799)
+ (0.011324720689462272752 × 56.56750787849)
= 54.486045703261760686

𝐺-value: 6.672815 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2

GR-mass: 3.3011 × 1023 kg
 SPD-mass: 3.3018 × 1023 kg

SPD-mass and 𝑮-value of Venus

Composition of the mantle by mass:6

SiO2 : 45.1 + 0.03 = 45.13%
Al2 O3 : 3.75 + 0.03 = 3.78%
MgO: 35.65 + 0.03 = 35.68%
FeO: 12.05 + 0.03 = 12.08%
CaO: 3.3 + 0.03 = 3.33%

Composition of the core by mass:

Fe: 84 − 0.275 = 83.725%
Ni: 5.15 − 0.275 = 4.875%
S: 3.05 − 0.275 = 2.775%
O: 8.9 − 0.275 = 8.625%

Mantle-core ratio:
Mantle & Crust: 72.2%
Core: 27.8%

Overall composition by mass:

Fe: 23.27555%
Ni: 1.35525%
S: 0.77145%
O: 2.39775%
SiO2 : 32.58386%
Al2 O3 : 2.72916%
MgO: 25.76096%
FeO: 8.72176%
CaO: 2.40426%

Total atomic inertial mass:

19.912841118953864833 u

Atomic percentages:
Fe: 232.7555 u⁄(55.845144405992 𝑚tot ) = 20.930582031690503641%
Ni: 13.5525 u⁄(58.693351562448 𝑚tot ) = 1.1595708189843171651%
S: 7.7145 u⁄(32.06438858900013 𝑚tot ) = 1.2082354994006617193%
O: 23.9775 u⁄(15.999400923892921698 𝑚tot ) = 7.5260474077020549106%
SiO2 : 325.8386 u⁄(60.084610236571943396 𝑚tot ) = 27.233662697281107755%
Al2 O3 : 27.2916 u⁄(85.961878667785843396 𝑚tot ) = 1.5943727773641387679%
MgO: 257.6096 u⁄(40.304252781902921698 𝑚tot ) = 32.09799763274092594%
FeO: 87.2176 u⁄(71.844545329884921698 𝑚tot ) = 6.0964512112585795872%
CaO: 24.0426 u⁄(56.077423436775581698 𝑚tot ) = 2.1530799235777105145%
 Inertial mass of the planet Venus:
(0.20930582031690503641 × 55.845144405992)
+ (0.011595708189843171651 × 58.693351562448)
+ (0.012082354994006617193 × 32.06438858900013)
+ (0.075260474077020549106 × 15.999400923892921698)
+ (0.27233662697281107755 × 60.084610236571943396)
+ (0.015943727773641387679 × 85.961878667785843396)
+ (0.3209799763274092594 × 40.304252781902921698)
+ (0.060964512112585795872 × 71.844545329884921698)
+ (0.021530799235777105145 × 56.077423436775581698)
= 50.218850942779766728

Gravitational mass of the planet Venus:

(0.20930582031690503641 × 56.35828776345)
+ (0.011595708189843171651 × 59.229847877375)
+ (0.012082354994006617193 × 32.3483650325)
+ (0.075260474077020549106 × 16.13204654454)
+ (0.27233662697281107755 × 60.59721815408)
+ (0.015943727773641387679 × 86.69590130908)
+ (0.3209799763274092594 × 40.64611698454)
+ (0.060964512112585795872 × 72.49033430799)
+ (0.021530799235777105145 × 56.56750787849)
= 50.656848617116759484

𝐺-value: 6.671192 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2

GR-mass: 4.8673 × 1023 kg
SPD-mass: 4.8696 × 1023 kg

SPD-mass and 𝑮-value of Earth

Composition by mass:7
Fe: 32.1%
O: 30.1%
Si: 15.1%
Mg: 13.9%
S: 2.9%
Ni: 1.8%
Ca: 1.5%
Al: 1.4%
Other elements: 1.2%

Total atomic inertial mass:

38.101259947256063641 u

Atomic abundance:
Fe: 321 u/(55.845144405992 𝑚tot ) = 15.08621444590508589%
 O: 301 u/(15.999400923892921698 𝑚tot ) = 49.376856394964312343%
Si: 151 u/(28.0858083887861 𝑚tot ) = 14.11076896870332279%
Mg: 139 u/(24.30485185801 𝑚tot ) = 15.010061947162726293%
S: 29 u/(32.06438858900013 𝑚tot ) = 2.3737539337952116811%
Ni: 18 u/(58.693351562448 𝑚tot ) = 0.8049043195610682995%
Ca: 15 u/(40.07802251288266 𝑚tot ) = 0.98230337643166642158%
Al: 14 u/(26.98153841 𝑚tot ) = 1.3618271558285241048%
Other: 12 u/(35.256563331376476463 𝑚tot ) = 0.89330945764808217723%

Inertial mass:
(0.1508621444590508589 × 55.845144405992)
+ (0.49376856394964312343 × 15.999400923892921698)
+ (0.1411076896870332279 × 28.0858083887861)
+ (0.15010061947162726293 × 24.30485185801)
+ (0.023737539337952116811 × 32.06438858900013)
+ (0.008049043195610682995 × 58.693351562448)
+ (0.0098230337643166642158 × 40.07802251288266)
+ (0.013618271558285241048 × 26.98153841)
+ (0.0089330945764808217723 × 35.256563331376476463)
= 26.245851223405984648

Gravitational mass:
(0.1508621444590508589 × 56.35828776345)
+ (0.49376856394964312343 × 16.13204654454)
+ (0.1411076896870332279 × 28.333125065)
+ (0.15010061947162726293 × 24.51407044)
+ (0.023737539337952116811 × 32.3483650325)
+ (0.008049043195610682995 × 59.229847877375)
+ (0.0098230337643166642158 × 40.43546133395)
+ (0.013618271558285241048 × 27.21590411)
+ (0.0089330945764808217723 × 35.570888520851875)
= 26.475633361923113614

𝐺-value: 6.671412 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2

GR-mass: 5.9722 × 1024 kg
SPD-mass: 5.9748 × 1024 kg

SPD-mass and 𝑮-value of Mars

Composition of mantle and crust by mass:6

SiO2 : 43.2 − 1.525 = 41.675%
Al2 O3 : 4.75%
MgO: 30 − 1.525 = 28.475%
FeO: 21.3%
CaO: 3.8%
 Composition of core by mass:
Fe: 76 + 0.15 = 76.15%
Ni: 8.1%
S: 6.4%
O: 9.35%

Mantle and Crust: 81.5%

Core: 18.5%

Overall composition by mass:

Fe: 14.08775%
Ni: 1.4985%
S: 1.184%
O: 1.72975%
SiO2 : 33.965125%
Al2 O3 : 3.87125%
MgO: 23.207125%
FeO: 17.3595%
CaO: 3.097%

Total atomic inertial mass:

19.058089249963954583 u

Atomic percentages:
140.8775 u/(55.845144405992 𝑚tot ) = 13.236612689416904587%
14.985 u/(58.693351562448 𝑚tot ) = 1.3396411554221963312%
11.84 u/(32.06438858900013 𝑚tot ) = 1.9375342255729800541%
17.2975 u/(15.999400923892921698 𝑚tot ) = 5.6728364314245581369%
339.65125 u/(60.084610236571943396 𝑚tot ) = 29.661329441630781857%
38.7125 u/(85.961878667785843396 𝑚tot ) = 2.3630121988343241429%
232.07125 u/(40.304252781902921698 𝑚tot ) = 30.212809410418706517%
173.595 u/(71.844545329884921698 𝑚tot ) = 12.678388484388542875%
30.97 u/(56.077423436775581698 𝑚tot ) = 2.8978359628910054999%

Inertial mass of the planet Mars:

(0.13236612689416904587 × 55.845144405992)
+ (0.013396411554221963312 × 58.693351562448)
+ (0.019375342255729800541 × 32.06438858900013)
+ (0.056728364314245581369 × 15.999400923892921698)
+ (0.29661329441630781857 × 60.084610236571943396)
+ (0.023630121988343241429 × 85.961878667785843396)
+ (0.30212809410418706517 × 40.304252781902921698)
+ (0.12678388484388542875 × 71.844545329884921698)
+ (0.028978359628910054999 × 56.077423436775581698)
= 52.471157359171845874
 Gravitational mass of the planet Mars:
0.13236612689416904587 × 56.35828776345)
+ (0.013396411554221963312 × 59.229847877375)
+ (0.019375342255729800541 × 32.3483650325)
+ (0.056728364314245581369 × 16.13204654454)
+ (0.29661329441630781857 × 60.59721815408)
+ (0.023630121988343241429 × 86.69590130908)
+ (0.30212809410418706517 × 40.64611698454)
+ (0.12678388484388542875 × 72.49033430799)
+ (0.028978359628910054999 × 56.56750787849)
= 52.928049819581429833

𝐺-value: 6.671098 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2

GR-mass: 6.4171 × 1023 kg
SPD-mass: 6.4202 × 1023 kg

SPD-mass and 𝑮-value of Jupiter

Composition by mass:8
76% H & 24% He.

Atomic percentages:
760 u/1.00797094202616217 = 753.98998950534626197
240 u/4.002601280982135674 = 59.961006143762127817

753.98998950534626197/813.95099564910838979 = 0.92633339542026787898
59.961006143762127817/813.95099564910838979 = 0.073666604579732121019

Inertial mass of the planet Jupiter:

(0.92633339542026787898 × 1.00797094202616217)
+ (0.073666604579732121019 × 4.002601280982135674)
= 1.2285751910685010416

Gravitational mass of the planet Jupiter:

(0.92633339542026787898 × 1.007422726425)
+ (0.073666604579732121019 × 4.03188092267)
= 1.230224292435710267

𝐺-value: 6.622388 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2

GR-mass: 1.89813 × 1027 kg
SPD-mass: 1.91301 × 1027 kg

SPD-mass and 𝑮-value of Saturn

Composition by mass:9
75% H & 25% He.
 The composition is identical to the Sun, and therefore also the G-value.

𝐺-value: 6.622908 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2

GR-mass: 5.6834 × 1026 kg
SPD-mass: 5.7275 × 1026 kg

SPD-mass and 𝑮-value of Uranus

Composition by mass (in this approximation only the underscored compositions will enter the
calculation):10

Core: 0.55 Earth masses (silicate/Fe-Ni rock; SiO2 )

Mantle: 13.4 Earth masses (water (H2 O), ammonia (NH3 ), methane ices (CH4 · 5.75H2 O))
Atmosphere: 0.5 Earth masses (molecular hydrogen, helium and methane)

SiO2 : 0.55/14.45 = 3.80%

H2 O: 13.4/14.45 = 92.73%
H: 0.5/14.45 = 3.46%

Total atomic inertial mass:

86.431620226826119172 u

Atomic percentages:
SiO2 : 38 u⁄(60.084610236571943396 𝑚tot ) = 0.73172466428616866335%
H2 O: 927.3 u⁄(18.015342807945246038 𝑚tot ) = 59.5531962081466629%
H: 34.6 u⁄(1.00797094202616217 𝑚tot ) = 39.715079127567168437%

Inertial mass of the planet Uranus:

(0.0073172466428616866335 × 60.084610236571943396)
+ (0.595531962081466629 × 18.015342807945246038)
+ (0.39715079127567168437 × 1.00797094202616217)
= 11.56868281973565429

Gravitational mass of the planet Uranus:

(0.0073172466428616866335 × 60.59721815408)
+ (0.595531962081466629 × 18.14689199739)
+ (0.39715079127567168437 × 1.007422726425)
= 11.650557720939614101

𝐺-value: 6.660316 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2

GR-mass: 8.6810 × 1025 kg
SPD-mass: 8.6992 × 1025 kg
 SPD-mass and 𝑮-value of Neptune

Its atmosphere forms about 5 to 10% of its mass.11 The mantle is equivalent to 10 to 15 Earth
masses and is rich in water, ammonia and methane. 12 The core of Neptune is likely composed of
iron, nickel and silicates, with an interior model giving a mass about 1.2 times that of Earth.13

The total mass is equal to 17.15 earth masses. From all the above we can infer:

Core: 15% is SiO2 .

Mantle: 80% is H2 O.
Atmosphere: 5% is H.

Total atomic inertial mass:

96.507677342234303073 u

Atomic percentages:
150 u⁄(60.084610236571943396 𝑚tot ) = 2.5868196258369480506%
800 u⁄(18.015342807945246038 𝑚tot ) = 46.013534316147451444%
50 u⁄(1.00797094202616217 𝑚tot ) = 51.399646058015600505%

Inertial mass of the planet Neptune:

(0.025868196258369480506 × 60.084610236571943396)
+ (0.46013534316147451444 × 18.015342807945246038)
+ (0.51399646058015600505 × 1.00797094202616217)
= 10.361869931381859554

Gravitational mass of the planet Neptune:

(0.025868196258369480506 × 60.59721815408)
+ (0.46013534316147451444 × 18.14689199739)
+ (0.51399646058015600505 × 1.007422726425)
= 10.435378824144695543

𝐺-value: 6.660428 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2

GR-mass: 1.0243 × 1026 kg
SPD-mass: 1.0264 × 1026 kg
 SPD-masses and 𝑮-values of the Sun and all planets

Sun:
G-value: 6.622908 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2
SPD-mass: 2.003900 × 1030 kg

Mercury:
6.672815 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2
3.301834 × 1023 kg

Venus:
6.671192 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2
4.869568 × 1024 kg

Earth:
6.671412 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2
5.974786 × 1024 kg

Mars:
6.671098 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2
6.420180 × 1023 kg

Jupiter:
6.622388 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2
1.913009 × 1027 kg

Saturn:
6.622908 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2
5.727502 × 1026 kg

Uranus:
6.660316 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2
8.699226 × 1025 kg

Neptune:
6.660428 × 10−11 m3 kg −1 s −2
1.026433 × 1026 kg

Orbit radii

For the radius of orbits, it is best to use the semi-major axis. Since we are looking to reveal rather
small differences between Newtonian and quantum gravity in planetary motion, it is important to
work with maximal precision. The figures for the semi-major axes of the different planets on
Wikipedia is not quite good enough. More precise figures can be found on the NASA website. 14

Mercury: 0.38709893 AU – 57,909,175,678 meters

 Venus: 0.72333199 AU – 108,208,925,513 meters
Earth: 1.0000010178 AU or 149,598,022,961 meters
Mars: 1.52366231 AU – 227,936,637,242 meters
Jupiter: 5.20336301 AU – 778,412,026,775 meters
Saturn: 9.53707032 AU – 1,426,725,412,588 meters
Uranus: 19.19126393 AU – 2,870,972,219,970 meters
Neptune: 30.06896348 AU – 4,498,252,910,764 meters
Pluto: 39.48168677 AU – 5,906,376,272,436 meters

In the case of Earth Wikipedia had the more precise figure, which is from a 1994 paper. 15

Perihelion precession of Mercury according to SPD

We recall the formula for the perihelion precession from above:

3π √𝐺j 𝐺i 𝑀j 𝑅j 2 15 𝑅j
2
175 𝑅j
4
δψi = ∑ ( ) ( ) [1 + ( ) + ( ) + ⋯]
2 √𝐺☉ 𝐺i 𝑀☉ 𝑅i 8 𝑅i 64 𝑅i
j<i
3 2 4
3π √𝐺j 𝐺i 𝑀j 𝑅i 15 𝑅i 175 𝑅i
+ ∑( ) ( ) [1 + ( ) + ( ) + ⋯]
2 √𝐺☉ 𝐺i 𝑀☉ 𝑅j 8 𝑅j 64 𝑅j
j>i

Since for Mercury 𝑖 = 1, it is always true that j > i, for all influencing planets, and so we only
use the second term of the above expression:
3 2 4
3π √𝐺j 𝐺i 𝑀j 𝑅i 15 𝑅i 175 𝑅i
ψi = ∑( ) ( ) [1 + ( ) + ( ) +⋯]
2 √ 𝐺 𝐺
☉ i ☉𝑀 𝑅j 8 𝑅j 64 𝑅j
j>i

Again 𝑅i shall be the orbit radius of the planet of interest and 𝑅j the orbit radius of the
influencing planet. For Venus’ influence on Mercury these are given by:

𝑅i = 57,909,175,678 m
𝑅j = 108,208,925,513 m

We take the Legendre polynomial that we subjected to various differentiations and apply it to the
ratio between the radii of Mercury and Venus. The first 36 terms are enough for the number of
digits displayed:
 𝑅i 𝑅i 𝑅i
1 + (1.875 × ( )2 ) + (2.734375 × ( )4 ) + (3.384765625 × ( )6 )
𝑅j 𝑅j 𝑅j
𝑅i 𝑅i
+ (3.94549560547 × ( )8 ) + (4.43708705902 × ( )10 )
𝑅j 𝑅j
𝑅i 𝑅i
+ (4.87329101562 × ( )12 ) + (5.263671875 × ( )14 )
𝑅j 𝑅j
𝑅i 16 𝑅i
+ (5.61572265625 × ( ) ) + (5.93414306641 × ( )18)
𝑅j 𝑅j
𝑅i 20 𝑅i
+ (6.22315216064 × ( ) ) + (6.48655700684 × ( )22 )
𝑅j 𝑅j
𝑅i 𝑅i
+ (6.72795414925 × ( )24 ) + (6.95087420988 × ( )26 )
𝑅j 𝑅j
𝑅i 𝑅i 𝑅i
+ (7.15874106026 × ( )28 ) + ( )30 ) + (7.54183286473 × ( )32 )
𝑅j 𝑅j 𝑅j
𝑅i 34 𝑅i 36
+ (7.72104328871 × ( ) ) + (7.89329445525 × ( )
𝑅j 𝑅j
= 1.8797685661462477618 rad

So now we have:

3 π √𝐺♀ 𝐺☿ 𝑀♀ 𝑅☿ 3
ψ☿ (♀) = ( ) 1.8797685661462477618 rad
2 √𝐺☉ 𝐺☿ 𝑀☉ 𝑅♀

We enter the SPD-masses of Venus and the Sun, as well as once again the orbital radii of
Mercury (☿) and Venus (♀), and we get:

√𝐺♀ 𝐺☿
ψ☿ (♀) = 0.000003299231011303322756 rad
√𝐺☉ 𝐺☿

With the figure in rad corresponding to 0.6805152453105737 arcseconds.

The non-Newtonian prefactor with the 𝐺-values has the following value:

√𝐺j 𝐺i √6.671192 × 6.672815

= = 1.0036386506577694403
√𝐺☉ 𝐺i √6.622908 × 6.672815

And so, we get the following perihelion precession for one revolution of Mercury around the Sun:

ψ☿ (♀) = 0.68299140255554515102 arcsec

If we want to know how much that is in one year, we have to divide this by the ratio between the
length of a year on Mercury and the length of a year on Earth, which is a factor of:
 87.969 ÷ 365.256 = 0.24084203955581838491

Doing so yields:

ψ̇☿ (♀) = 2.8358479433871954857 arcsec

When repeating the same procedure for the other planets, we get the following sum of
contributions from the eight planets:

2.8358479433871954857 + 0.95001886184939674502 + 0.024119144033447015323

+ 1.6028438279792311784 + 0.077372527796091805069
+ 0.0014429395925769901325 + 0.0004424466228455732172
= 5.4920876912607847929 arcsec

Newtonian prediction

For comparing this to the Newtonian prediction, we have to repeat the above calculation with the
GR-masses or Newtonian masses of the planets.

This can be done rather quickly, as the Legendre polynomial with the ratios of radii does not
change. For instance, the influence of Venus on Mercury can be calculated as:

3π
0.2881093003573548922 × ((4.8673 × 1024 ) ÷ (1.98847 × 1030 )) ×
2
= 0.000003323284190570317645

0.6854765696717048
= 2.8461666033717355936 arcsec
0.24084203955581838491

Doing this for all the influencing planets yields the following sum:

2.8461666033717355936 + 0.95349134446789375044 + 0.024206733844108720118

+ 1.6027809320934030996 + 0.077372527796091805069
+ 0.0014470089924613443372 + 0.00044369813591133240119
= 5.5059088487016056456

The contribution of SPD-chromogravity effects to the total perihelion precession of

Mercury

The difference between the SPD-prediction and the Newtonian prediction is:

0.0138211574408208527 " yr −1

Per century that would be:

 1.38211574408208527 " cy −1

The more exact Newtonian solution accounts for the elliptical shape of the orbits, and it is rather
tedious to calculate. It yields the value 532.3035 " cy −1 .16 However, the difference between the
approximated perihelion precession and the exact one depends on angles and radii only. As such
we can account for that difference as a simple factor:

532.3035 ÷ 550.59088487016056456 = 0.96678589244267444505

So, then we get:

549.20876912607847929 × 0.96678589244267444505
= 531.53772733909730146 " cy −1

The contribution from the oblateness of the Sun amounts to 0.0286 " cy −1, the relativistic effects
amount to 42.9799 " cy −1 , and the Lense-Thirring precession is −0.0020 " cy −1 .17 The sum of
all the effects is then:

531.53772733909730146 + 0.0286 + 42.9799 − 0.0020

= 573.9738 ± 0.0015 " cy −1

While the observed value is 574.10 ± 0.65 " cy −1. Tis agrees with the SPD-prediction within
margins of error and to 99.98% in value.

The GR-sum is:

532.3035 + 0.0286 + 42.9799 − 0.0020 = 575.31 ± 0.0015 " cy −1

Which agrees to only 99.79% in value and does not agree within margins of error.

To be fair we should look at all observed values and not just one. We find all observed values in
the following table:18, 19

Author Precession SPD accuracy GR accuracy SPD agreement GR agreement

within margins within margins
Newcomb (1895) 575.1 ± 2.1 99.80% 99.96% Yes Yes
Clemence (1947) 574.10 ± 0.65 99.98% 99.79% Yes No
Duncomb (1956) 574.7 ± 0.45 99.87% 99.89% No No
Anderson (1992) 574.7 ± 0.1 99.87% 99.89% No No

The first three are based on real observations, and while the fourth, Anderson (1992), was
supposed to improve upon the former in terms of accuracy by using radar ranging data instead of
optical observations, all that he really did in effect was to take the results of Duncomb and use a
single parameter to describe all planets, such that if one planet deviates from predictions in one
way, all planets are presumed to deviate in exactly the same way. 20 Such an assumption is
arbitrary and unscientific, and in particular it makes it impossible to use his results for testing
composition-dependent theories where each planet is expected to deviate from Newtonian
mechanics differently.

Since then, more results have been published using the same and similar flawed method. This
shall be the topic of the next chapter where we are going to look into the perihelion precession of
other planets.

Newcomb (1895) was precise enough to allow for a test of general relativity, but it is far behind
the accuracy of the studies that followed. That leaves Clemence (1947) and Duncombe (1956).
From these two Wikipedia cites Clemence (1947) as the official observed value. The reason
might be the fact that the paper behind Duncombe (1956) is only 1 ¼ pages long, whereas
Clemence (1947) is 4 pages long, which makes the latter look like a more thorough study.
Clemence also has more citations, namely 311, whereas Duncombe (1956) is only cited by 36.

References:
1. “Gravitational Potential Theory”. Subchapter: “Potential Due to a Uniform Ring”. Richard
Fitzpatrick. 2011-03-31. Page 11. Link:
[https://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/336k/Newton/node114.html].
2. Rodrigues, Olinde (1816), “De l'attraction des sphéroïdes”, Correspondence sur l'École
Impériale Polytechnique, (Thesis for the Faculty of Science of the University of Paris), 3
(3): 361–385
3. “Gravitational Potential Theory”. Subchapter: “Perihelion Precession of the Planets”.
Richard Fitzpatrick. 2011-03-31. Page 12. Link:
[https://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/336k/Newton/node115.html].
4. Basu, S.; Antia, H.M. (2008). “Helioseismology and Solar Abundances”. Physics Reports.
457 (5–6): 217–283. arXiv:0711.4590. Bibcode:2008PhR...457..217B.
doi:10.1016/j.physrep.2007.12.002. S2CID 119302796.
5. The figures 75% and 25% for hydrogen and helium are a simplification. More precise
figures can be found here: [http://hyperphysics.phy-
astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Tables/suncomp.html].
6. “Planetary Science: A Lunar Perspective”, by Stuart Ross Taylor © 1982, Lunar and
Planetary Institute. Chapters 6, table 4.3.2 and chapter 8, table 8.5.
7. Morgan, J. W.; Anders, E. (1980). “Chemical composition of Earth, Venus, and Mercury”.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 77 (12): 6973–6977.
Bibcode:1980PNAS...77.6973M. doi:10.1073/pnas.77.12.6973. PMC 350422. PMID
16592930.
8. Guillot, Tristan; Gautier, Daniel; Hubbard, William B (December 1997). “NOTE: New
Constraints on the Composition of Jupiter from Galileo Measurements and Interior
Models”. Icarus. 130 (2): 534–539. arXiv:astro-ph/9707210. Bibcode:1997Icar..130..534G.
doi:10.1006/icar.1997.5812. S2CID 5466469.
9. Link: [https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Cassini-
Huygens/Saturn_s_atmosphere].
10. Podolak, M.; Weizman, A.; Marley, M. (December 1995). “Comparative models of Uranus
and Neptune”. Planetary and Space Science. 43 (12): 1517–1522.
Bibcode:1995P&SS...43.1517P. doi:10.1016/0032-0633(95)00061-5.
11. Hubbard, W.B. (1997). “Neptune’s Deep Chemistry”. Science. 275 (5304): 1279–80.
doi:10.1126/science.275.5304.1279. PMID 9064785. S2CID 36248590.
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from the original on 15 July 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2007.
13. Podolak, M.; Weizman, A.; Marley, M. (1995). “Comparative models of Uranus and
Neptune”. Planetary and Space Science. 43 (12): 1517–22. Bibcode:1995P&SS...43.1517P.
doi:10.1016/0032-0633(95)00061-5.
14. Precise figures on the semimajor axis can be found on the NASA-website:
[https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/marsfact.html] (replace ‘Mars’ by the name
of any other planet).
15. Simon, J.L.; Bretagnon, P.; Chapront, J.; Chapront-Touzé, M.; Francou, G.; Laskar, J.
(February 1994). “Numerical expressions for precession formulae and mean elements for
the Moon and planets”. Astronomy and Astrophysics. 282 (2): 663–683.
Bibcode:1994A&A...282..663S.
16. Park, Ryan S.; et al. (2017). “Precession of Mercury’s Perihelion from Ranging to the
MESSENGER Spacecraft”. The Astronomical Journal. 153 (3): 121.
Bibcode:2017AJ....153..121P. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aa5be2. hdl:1721.1/109312. S2CID
125439949.
17. Clemence, G. M. (1947). “The Relativity Effect in Planetary Motions”. Reviews of Modern
Physics. 19 (4): 361–364. Bibcode:1947RvMP...19..361C.
doi:10.1103/RevModPhys.19.361.
18. Simon Newcomb (1895). “The Elements of the Four Inner Planets and the Fundamental
Constants of Astronomy”.
19. “Relativity effects for the three inner planets”. Duncombe, Raynor L.. Astronomical
Journal, Vol. 61, p. 174-175. Pub Date: May 1956. DOI: 10.1086/107423. Bibcode:
1956AJ.....61S.174D.
20. “Gravitation and Spacetime”. Hans C. Ohanian & Remo Ruffini (1994).