Position and Motion of Celestial Bodies

This book is a systematic introduction to astrometry and celestial mechanics. It consists of five parts: Observational astrometry, theoretical astrometry, basics of celestial mechanics, orbital dynamics, and rotational dynamics. The book is unique in various aspects. First, it discusses astrometry and celestial mechanics in a single and unified manner. Second, it stands on not the Newtonian but general relativistic viewpoints. Third, it explains both the orbital and rotational motions of celestial bodies. Fourth, it conforms to the latest International Astronomical Union (IAU) resolutions and Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures (CGPM) rules. Lastly, its historical topics, ample exercises, and detailed model answers stimulate readers. The appendixes also provide various tables of constants, basic mathematical formulae, descriptions of symbols used, lists of technical abbreviations and model solutions to exercises.

The book is intended for undergraduate students of physics or astronomy. Further, it serves as a pocket reference also useful for professional scientists.

The basis of the English translation of this book from its Japanese original manuscript was done with the help of artificial intelligence. A subsequent human revision of the content was done by the editor and authors.

Part I Position of Celestial Bodies.- Measurement of Position.- Representation of Position.- Part II Motion of Celestial Bodies.- Fundamentals of Celestial Mechanics.- Orbital Motion.- Rotational Motion.- Appendix A. Constants.- Appendix B. Mathematical Formulae.- Appendix C. Symbols.- Appendix D. Model Answers to Exercises.

Toshio Fukushima is a professor emeritus at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ). He received his Ph.D. from the Department of Astronomy at The University of Tokyo in 1988. He was appointed an associate professor at NAOJ in 1991 and promoted to professor in 1998. During that period, he also served as a lecturer on astronomy at The University of Tokyo, and on general astronomy at The University of Tokyo, Showa Women's University, and Hosei University. In 2020, he retired from NAOJ. He was awarded the Legion of Merit from the Japan Coast Guard (formerly the Maritime Safety Agency) for the creation of the new Japanese Ephemeris in 1985. He had also continued to contribute to the International Astronomical Union (IAU).