The Solar Test of the Equivalence Principle

Details The Solar Test of the Equivalence Principle The Solar Test of the Equivalence Principle

1995-10-16

arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/9510029v1

Astrophys.J.459:365-370,1996

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology

10 pages; LaTeX; three figures upon request

Scientific paper

10.1086/176899

The Earth, Mars, Sun, Jupiter system allows for a sensitive test of the strong equivalence principle (SEP) which is qualitatively different from that provided by Lunar Laser Ranging. Using analytic and numerical methods we demonstrate that Earth-Mars ranging can provide a useful estimate of the SEP parameter $\eta$. Two estimates of the predicted accuracy are derived and quoted, one based on conventional covariance analysis, and another (called ``modified worst case'' analysis) which assumes that systematic errors dominate the experiment. If future Mars missions provide ranging measurements with an accuracy of $\sigma$ meters, after ten years of ranging the expected accuracy for the SEP parameter $\eta$ will be of order $(1-12)\times 10^{-4}\sigma$. These ranging measurements will also provide the most accurate determination of the mass of Jupiter, independent of the SEP effect test.

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