Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Oct 1976
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1976newsc..72..202d&link_type=abstract
New Scientist, vol. 72, Oct. 28, 1976, p. 202-204.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics, Celestial Mechanics, Earth-Moon System, Equivalence, Gravitation Theory, Relativity, Gravitational Constant, Lunar Rangefinding, Perturbation Theory
Scientific paper
The principle of equivalence in its 'weak' form postulates the equivalence of the gravitational mass and the inertial mass. Stronger forms of this principle extend to other physical laws. Einstein founded general relativity firmly on a very strong form of the principle which covers all physical laws including gravitation itself. A nonvalidity of the considered principle could lead to very small oscillations in the distance between earth and moon. Experiments involving a determination of the distance between earth and moon with an uncertainty of 41 cm show, after correction for nonrelativistic perturbations, no variation in lunar distance, and, thereby, confirm general relativity at the expense of alternative gravitational theories. The experiments are based on the timing of the reflection of laser light pulses by retroreflectors which were placed on the moon during the Apollo missions.
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