Determining planetary positions in the sky for $\pm 50$ years to an accuracy of $\stackrel{<}{_{\sim}} 1^{\circ}$ with a calculator}

TL;DR

This paper presents a straightforward calculator-based method to accurately determine planetary positions within approximately one degree for a 100-year span centered on a starting epoch, using minimal initial data.

Contribution

It introduces a simple, calculator-friendly technique for predicting planetary positions with high accuracy over a 50-year range, requiring only basic orbital parameters.

Findings

Achieves <1° accuracy over ±50 years

Uses minimal initial data and simple calculations

Applicable with basic calculator tools

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a very simple method to calculate the positions of the planets in the sky. The technique used enables us to calculate planetary positions to an accuracy of $\stackrel{<}{_{\sim}} 1^{\circ}$ for $\pm 50$ years from the starting epoch. Moreover, this involves very simple calculations and can be done using a calculator. All we need are the initial specifications of planetary orbits for some standard epoch and the time periods of their revolutions.