Is anyone familiar with this method for calculating the relativistic precession of an orbiting body?
When simplifying by considering a circular orbit, the average orbit velocity v is:
v = (2π a)/t,
where π is pi, a is the semi-major axis, and t is the period of orbit.
The precession rate n is:
n = 2π [1 - cos(asin(v/c))],
where c is the speed of light in vacuum.
Converting this to arc seconds of a degree per century, the rate for Mercury is:
" = n (360)(60)(60)(415) = 43"
Similarily for Earth:
" = n (360)(60)(60)(100) = 4"
I have written a paper on this and would like to add attributions to whomever might have discovered this equation before me.
Have you seen this method anywhere? Any help would be greatly appreciated.