Gravitational major-axis contraction of Mercury's elliptical orbit

TL;DR

This paper discusses how the Sun's gravity causes Mercury's orbit to contract slightly, with a measurable 1.3 km reduction in the orbit's major axis, beyond Newtonian predictions.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of gravitational major-axis contraction of Mercury's orbit and quantifies it as 1.3 km, supported by calculations and current measurement capabilities.

Findings

Mercury's orbit contracts by approximately 1.3 km due to gravitational effects.

The contraction can be confirmed with existing astronomical measurement technology.

The effect is in addition to perihelion precession predicted by general relativity.

Abstract

The local curvature of the space produced by the Sun causes not only the perihelion precession of Mercury's elliptical orbit, but also the variations of the whole orbit, in comparison with those predicted by the Newtonian theory of gravitation. Calculations show that the gravitational major-axis contraction of the Mercury's elliptical orbit is 1.3 kilometers which can be confirmed by the present astronomical distance measurement technology.