Testing Relativity with Laser Ranging to the Moon

K. Nordtvedt, Jr.
Phys. Rev. 170, 1186 – Published 25 June 1968
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Abstract

Precise laser ranging to the moon is shown to be capable of measuring the ratio (mgmi) of gravitational mass to inertial mass of the earth to accuracy sufficient to detect gravitational self-energy contributions. If mgmi of the earth differs from 1 by an amount of order (earth gravitational self-energy)/(earth total energy), then the lunar orbit will acquire a range oscillation of amplitude about 12 m.

  • Received 11 December 1967

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.170.1186

©1968 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

K. Nordtvedt, Jr.

  • Department of Physics, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana

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Issue

Vol. 170, Iss. 5 — June 1968

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