Determining planetary positions in the sky for $\pm 50$ years to an accuracy of $\stackrel{<}{_{\sim}} 1^{\circ}$ with a calculator}

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a very simple method to calculate the positions of the planets in the sky. The technique used enables us to calculate planetary positions to an accuracy of $\stackrel{<}{_{\sim}} 1^{\circ}$ for $\pm 50$ years from the starting epoch. Moreover, this involves very simple calculations and can be done using a calculator. All we need are the initial specifications of planetary orbits for some standard epoch and the time periods of their revolutions.