129 research outputs found
Relativistic Reference Frames for Astrometry and Navigation in the Solar System
Astrophysical space missions deliver invaluable information about our
universe, stellar dynamics of our galaxy, and motion of celestial bodies in the
solar system. Astrometric space missions SIM and Gaia will determine distances
to stars and cosmological objects as well as their physical characteristics and
positions on the celestial sphere with microarcsecond precision. These and
other space missions dedicated to exploration of the solar system are
invaluable for experimental testing of general relativity. Permanently growing
accuracy of space and ground-based astronomical observations require
corresponding development of relativistic theory of reference frames, motion of
celestial bodies, and propagation of light/radio signals from a source of
light/radio to observer. Such theory must be based on Einstein's general
relativity and account for various relativistic effects both in the solar
system and outside of its boundary. We describe a hierarchy of the relativistic
frames adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 2000, and outline
directions for its theoretical and practical extentions by matching the IAU
2000 reference frames in the solar system to the cosmological
Friedman-Robertson-Walker reference frame and to the frames used in the
parametrized post-Newtonian formalism.Comment: 16 pages, bugs in equations removed, minor changes in text, to appear
in Proc. of the ASTROCON 2006 meeting (Princeton University, Princeton, NJ,
USA) http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/jarrieta/blog/astrocon2006.shtm
The gravitomagnetic influence on Earth-orbiting spacecrafts and on the lunar orbit
Gravitomagnetic field is covariantly split in the {\it intrinsic} and {\it
extrinsic} parts, which are generated by rotational and translational currents
of matter respectively. The {\it intrinsic} component has been recently
discovered in the LAGEOS spacecraft experiment. We discuss the method of
detection of the {\it extrinsic} tidal component with the lunar laser ranging
(LLR) technique. Analysis of the gauge residual freedom in the relativistic
theory of three-body problem demonstrates that LLR is currently not capable to
detect the {\it extrinsic} gravitomagnetic effects which are at the ranging
level of few millimeters. Its detection requires further advances in the LLR
technique that are coming in the next 5-10 years.Comment: 9 pages, a contributed paper to the book in memory of J.A. Wheeler,
(ed.) I. Ciufolin
Equivalence Principle in Cosmology
We analyse the Einstein equivalence principle (EEP) for a Hubble observer in
Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker spacetime. We show that the affine
structure of light cone in the FLRW spacetime should be treated locally in
terms of the optical metric which is not reduced to the Minkowski metric due to
the non-uniform parametrization of the local equations of light propagation
with the proper time of the observer's clock. The physical consequence of this
difference is that the Doppler shift of radio waves measured locally, is
affected by the Hubble expansion.Comment: 4 pages, no figures. Presented at the Sixth Meeting on CPT and
Lorentz Symmetry, Bloomington, Indiana, June 17-21, 201
Millisecond and Binary Pulsars as Nature's Frequency Standards. II. Effects of Low-Frequency Timing Noise on Residuals and Measured Parameters
Pulsars are the most stable natural frequency standards. They can be applied
to a number of principal problems of modern astronomy and time-keeping
metrology. The full exploration of pulsar properties requires obtaining
unbiased estimates of the spin and orbital parameters. These estimates depend
essentially on the random noise component being revealed in the residuals of
time of arrivals (TOA). In the present paper, the influence of low-frequency
("red") timing noise with spectral indices from 1 to 6 on TOA residuals,
variances, and covariances of estimates of measured parameters of single and
binary pulsars are studied. In order to determine their functional dependence
on time, an analytic technique of processing of observational data in time
domain is developed which takes into account both stationary and non-stationary
components of noise. Our analysis includes a simplified timing model of a
binary pulsar in a circular orbit and procedure of estimation of pulsar
parameters and residuals under the influence of red noise. We reconfirm that
uncorrelated white noise of errors of measurements of TOA brings on gradually
decreasing residuals, variances and covariances of all parameters. On the other
hand, we show that any red noise causes the residuals, variances, and
covariances of certain parameters to increase with time. Hence, the low
frequency noise corrupts our observations and reduces experimental
possibilities for better tests of General Relativity Theory. We also treat in
detail the influence of a polynomial drift of noise on the residuals and
fitting parameters. Results of the analitic analysis are used for discussion of
a statistic describing stabilities of kinematic and dynamic pulsar time scales.Comment: 40 pages, 1 postscript figure, 1 picture, uses mn.sty, accepted to
Mon. Not. Roy. Astron. So
Testing Relativistic Effect of Propagation of Gravity by Very-Long Baseline Interferometry
It is shown that the finite speed of gravity affects very-long baseline
interferometric observations of quasars during the time of their line-of-sight
close angular encounter with Jupiter. The next such event will take place in
2002, September 8. The present Letter suggests a new experimental test of
general relativity in which the effect of propagation of gravity can be
directly measured by very-long baseline interferometry as an excess time delay
in addition to the logarithmic Shapiro time delay (Shapiro, I. I., 1964, Phys.
Rev. Lett., 13, 789).Comment: 11 pages, accepted to ApJ Letter
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