Why Is the Mean Anomaly at Epoch Not Used in Tests of Non-Newtonian Gravity?

Abstract

The mean anomaly at epoch η is one of the standard six Keplerian orbital elements in terms of which the motion of the two-body problem is parameterized. Along with the argument of pericenter ω, η experiences long-term rates of change induced, among other things, by general relativity and several modified models of gravity. Thus, in principle, it may be fruitfully adopted together with ω in several tests of post-Newtonian gravity performed with astronomical and astrophysical binary systems. This would allow us to enhance the gravitational signature we are interested in and to disentangle some competing disturbing effects acting as sources of systematic bias. Nonetheless, for some reasons unknown to the present author, η has never been used so far by astronomers in actual data reductions. This note aims to raise interest in the community about the possible practical use of such an orbital element or, at least, to induce experts in astronomical data processing to explicitly make clear if it is not possible to use η for testing gravitational models and, if this is the case, why.