Inverse-cube perturbation of Kepler apsidal motion ($\Delta \varpi \simeq -\pi C/[\mu a(1-e^2)]$)

For radial acceleration $-\mu /r^2+C/r^3$, the Binet equation gives $u^{\prime \prime }+(1+C/h^2)u=\mu /h^2$, where $h$ is specific angular momentum. A regular bound orbit has $h^2+C>0$, $a=-\mu /(2\mathcal{E})$ and $e^2=1+2\mathcal{E}(h^2+C)/{\mu }^2$. Its radius is $a(1-e^2)/[1+e\cos (\alpha \theta )]$, with $\alpha =\sqrt{1+C/h^2}$. The apsidal precession per radial period is $2\pi ({\alpha }^{-1}-1)$, which reduces to the displayed expression for a small perturbation. Negative $C$ produces prograde precession; positive $C$ produces retrograde precession. The dimensionless coefficient is $C/(\mu a)$, since $C$ has units of length to the fourth power divided by time squared.

For radial acceleration $-GM(1+\gamma /r)/r^2$, conserved specific angular momentum $h$ gives an angular radial frequency $\alpha =\sqrt{1-GM\gamma /h^2}$ through the Binet equation. Successive pericentres differ by $2\pi /\alpha$, so a small perturbation produces apsidal precession $\Delta \varpi \simeq \pi GM\gamma /h^2$. Writing the unperturbed semilatus rectum as $p=h^2/(GM)$ gives the displayed inverse relation. For a nearly circular orbit of period $P$, use $p\simeq [GM(P/(2\pi ){)}^2{]}^{1/3}$. Positive $\gamma$ means prograde precession; $\gamma$ is a length. A measured rate per century must first be converted to an angle per orbit.