One of the most appealing consequences of introducing an additional
orbital component that is easily understood from the perspective of
the polar daylight/darkness cycle is having a look at our neighboring
planet Venus -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:VenusAnimation.ogg

The Earth has a 26 mile spherical deviation between its equatorial and
polar diameters while Venus has none and simultaneously, the Earth has
the motion and evolution of the fractured surface crust while Venus
has only volcanism but no tectonic activity even allowing for
different surface compositions and so on.The idea here is that
spherical deviation and tectonic activity is bound by a common
rotational mechanism where there is an uneven rotational gradient in
the viscous composition beneath the planetary crust or differential
rotation as astronomers would know it.

The separate issue is then isolating what belongs to the daily
rotational characteristics of Venus and what belongs to its orbital
component and that is very intricate but again,Uranus is a template to
bounce comparisons off for the East/West orbital cycle of Uranus is
the same as its orbital period of 84 years -

http://astro.berkeley.edu/~imke/Infr..._2001_2005.jpg

Sooner or later genuine scientists are going to run into the cause of
the spherical deviation of our planet and that means accurate figures
for rotation through 360 degrees,as differential rotation and fluid
dynamics require an uneven rotational gradient between equator and
poles as opposed to the surface crust which has an even rotational
gradient flexibility in these matters is paramount.Instead of trying
to justify right ascension and the terminology of the imaginary
difference between the solar day and the sidereal day,a more decisive
investigator would be looking at the differences between the rotation
of the viscous composition and the rotation of the fractured crust,at
least for geological purposes giving astronomy a more dynamic and
active edge.

This not a digression from the central topic but rather an expansion
of it as an example where you can go with these things,what paid
geologists and astronomers do with their days is their own business
but this is what I do with mine.