Simple precession calculation for Mercury: A linearization approach

摘要

The additional perihelion precession of Mercury due to general relativity can be calculated by a method that is no more difficult than solving for the Newtonian orbit. This method relies on linearizing the relativistic orbit equation, is simpler than standard textbook methods, and is closely related to Newton's theorem on revolving orbits. The main result is accurate for all values of GM/c2 for near-circular orbits.