Let Re denote the Equatorial Radius, and then the Flatterings are given by
Fn=(Re - Rn)/Re=0.006772
Fs=(Re - Rs)/Re=0.005000
That implies
Rn=0.993228Re
Rs=0.995000Re
And hence Rs is slightly larger. In the previous editions, the Flattering was Rs=Rn=0.993524Re. Since the symmetry was broken, we can easily suppose the central latitude φ should be affected.
Another alteration of constant is employed concerning the Sidereal Period of Rotation of Mars: In the former editions it was defined
1.025 956 75 day, while in the new 2003 edition, it was altered to
1.025 956 76 day. The little amount of difference is however effective to the Latitude ω of CM or to an employment of the first period.
The values in the Ephemeris for 00:00 TDT of 28 December 2002 and 1 January 2003 are different in the following ways:
The 2002 Edition shows
ω φ λ δ e δ p ι Ds
28 December 123.63°W 14.82°N 114.59°Ls 4.50" 4.47" 27.3° 23.04°N
01 January 84.80°W 13.86°N 116.44°Ls 4.57" 4.54" 28.0° 22.67°N
while the 2003 Edition does
28 December 123.36°W 14.81°N 114.59°Ls 4.49" 4.47" 27.3° 23.01°N
01 January 84.53°W 13.84°N 116.44°Ls 4.57" 4.54" 28.0° 22.64°N
where λ denote the season in Ls.
Revision of elements concerning the orbit was not made, and so no discontinuation is thereabout Ls and others.
We follow the present alteration of The Almanac, but even the case of ω there does nearly occur no misleading if we shall follow our tradition to round off ω to no decimal.