Double-averaged circular tidal potential
ID: double-averaged-circular-tidal-potential
For two circular Kepler orbits with mutual inclination , independently average the stellar quadrupole disturbing function over both mean anomalies. A circular ring with unit normal has . Contracting the two ring tensors gives , proving the displayed exact angular factor. For small orbital inclinations relative to a common plane, . Thus the secular angular factor is . This potential generates the slow stellar contribution to satellite nodal precession.
New to topics? Read the docs here!