scholarly journals Role of lunar laser ranging in realization of terrestrial, lunar, and ephemeris reference frames

2019 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitry Pavlov
Keyword(s):  
Reference Frames ◽  
Laser Ranging ◽  
Lunar Laser Ranging ◽  
Lunar Laser

scholarly journals Relations Between Celestial and Selenocentric Reference Frames

1981 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
pp. 268-280
Author(s):  
J. Kovalevsky
Keyword(s):  
Reference Frames ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Great Accuracy ◽  
Laser Ranging ◽  
Lunar Laser Ranging ◽  
Geometric Means ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Lunar Laser ◽  
Unique System ◽  
Different Types

AbstractThe very great accuracy with which the motions of the Moon can now be monitored by laser ranging, differential VLBI and occultation observations, implies that the interpretation of the measurements is conditioned by the choice and the accurate knowledge of a selenocentric, a terrestrial and a celestial frames. Two different types of selenocentric reference frames can be envisioned. The present selenographic frames are discussed but the author proposes that one should introduce a system defined by a purely geometric means. Some consequences of such a choice are discussed. One feature of the future conventional terrestrial frame is very important for Earth-Moon dynamics. Its origin should coincide with the center of mass of the Earth as determined by lunar laser ranging. As far as the quasi-inertial reference systems are concerned, the liaisons between a purely lunar dynamical system, subject to some hardly modelable effects, and purely celestial systems are analysed. The reduction of observations made with various techniques implies the use of different systems, and several problems are stated that should be solved before a unique system for Earth-Moon dynamics might be used.

scholarly journals Post-Newtonian Reference Frames for Advanced Theory of the Lunar Motion and for a New Generation of Lunar Laser Ranging

2010 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Xie ◽  
Sergei Kopeikin
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Reference Frame ◽  
Reference Frames ◽  
Laser Ranging ◽  
Lunar Laser Ranging ◽  
Local Frame ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Lunar Laser ◽  
Lunar Motion ◽  
New Generation

Post-Newtonian Reference Frames for Advanced Theory of the Lunar Motion and for a New Generation of Lunar Laser RangingWe overview a set of post-Newtonian reference frames for a comprehensive study of the orbital dynamics and rotational motion of Moon and Earth by means of lunar laser ranging (LLR). We employ a scalar-tensor theory of gravity depending on two post-Newtonian parameters, β and γ, and utilize the relativistic resolutions on reference frames adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2000. We assume that the solar system is isolated and space-time is asymptotically flat at infinity. The primary reference frame covers the entire space-time, has its origin at the solar-system barycenter (SSB) and spatial axes stretching up to infinity. The SSB frame is not rotating with respect to a set of distant quasars that are forming the International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF). The secondary reference frame has its origin at the Earth-Moon barycenter (EMB). The EMB frame is locally-inertial and is not rotating dynamically in the sense that equation of motion of a test particle moving with respect to the EMB frame, does not contain the Coriolis and centripetal forces. Two other local frames - geocentric (GRF) and selenocentric (SRF) - have their origins at the center of mass of Earth and Moon respectively and do not rotate dynamically. Each local frame is subject to the geodetic precession both with respect to other local frames and with respect to the ICRF because of their relative motion with respect to each other. Theoretical advantage of the dynamically non-rotating local frames is in a more simple mathematical description. Each local frame can be aligned with the axes of ICRF after applying the matrix of the relativistic precession. The set of one global and three local frames is introduced in order to fully decouple the relative motion of Moon with respect to Earth from the orbital motion of the Earth-Moon barycenter as well as to connect the coordinate description of the lunar motion, an observer on Earth, and a retro-reflector on Moon to directly measurable quantities such as the proper time and the round-trip laser-light distance. We solve the gravity field equations and find out the metric tensor and the scalar field in all frames which description includes the post-Newtonian multipole moments of the gravitational field of Earth and Moon. We also derive the post-Newtonian coordinate transformations between the frames and analyze the residual gauge freedom.

scholarly journals A review of the lunar laser ranging technique and contribution of timing systems

2016 ◽  
Vol Volume 112 (Number 3/4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cilence Munghemezulu ◽  
Ludwig Combrinck ◽  
Joel O. Botai ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reference Frames ◽  
Laser Pulses ◽  
Relativity Theory ◽  
Earth Tides ◽  
Laser Ranging ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Lunar Laser Ranging ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Lunar Laser ◽  
Space Geodetic Techniques

Abstract The lunar laser ranging (LLR) technique is based on the two-way time-of-flight of laser pulses from an earth station to the retroreflectors that are located on the surface of the moon. We discuss the ranging technique and contribution of the timing systems and its significance in light of the new LLR station currently under development by the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO). Firstly, developing the LLR station at HartRAO is an initiative that will improve the current geometrical network of the LLR stations which are presently concentrated in the northern hemisphere. Secondly, data products derived from the LLR experiments – such as accurate lunar orbit, tests of the general relativity theory, earth–moon dynamics, interior structure of the moon, reference frames, and station position and velocities – are important in better understanding the earth–moon system. We highlight factors affecting the measured range bias such as the effect of earth tides on station position and delays induced by timing systems, as these must be taken into account during the development of the LLR analysis software. HartRAO is collocated with other fundamental space geodetic techniques which makes it a true fiducial geodetic site in the southern hemisphere and a central point for further development of space-based techniques in Africa. Furthermore, the new LLR will complement the existing techniques by providing new niche areas of research both in Africa and internationally.

scholarly journals Lorentz violation and gravity

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (S261) ◽  
pp. 409-413
Author(s):  
Quentin G. Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Standard Model ◽  
Lorentz Violation ◽  
Laser Ranging ◽  
Unified Theory ◽  
Standard Model Extension ◽  
Lunar Laser Ranging ◽  
Lunar Laser ◽  
Model Extension ◽  
The Standard Model

AbstractIn the last decade, a variety of high-precision experiments have searched for miniscule violations of Lorentz symmetry. These searches are largely motivated by the possibility of uncovering experimental signatures from a fundamental unified theory. Experimental results are reported in the framework called the Standard-Model Extension (SME), which describes general Lorentz violation for each particle species in terms of its coefficients for Lorentz violation. Recently, the role of gravitational experiments in probing the SME has been explored in the literature. In this talk, I will summarize theoretical and experimental aspects of these works. I will also discuss recent lunar laser ranging and atom interferometer experiments, which place stringent constraints on gravity coefficients for Lorentz violation.

scholarly journals Dynamical Reference Frames in the Planetary and Earth-Moon Systems

1990 ◽  
Vol 141 ◽  
pp. 173-182
Author(s):  
E. M. Standish ◽  
J. G. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Reference Frame ◽  
Reference Frames ◽  
Optical Data ◽  
Laser Ranging ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Lunar Laser Ranging ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Lunar Laser ◽  
Mariner 9 ◽  
Radar Ranging

We summarize our previous estimates of the accuracies of the ephemerides. Such accuracies determine how well one can establish the dynamical reference frame of the ephemerides. Ranging observations are the dominant data for the inner four planets and the Moon: radar-ranging for Mercury and Venus; Mariner 9 and Viking spacecraft-ranging for the Earth and Mars; lunar laser-ranging for the Moon. Optical data are significant for only the five outermost planets. Inertial mean motions for the Earth and Mars are determined to the level of 0.″003/cty during the time of the Viking mission; for Mars, this will deteriorate to 0.″01/cty or more after a decade or so; similarly, the inclination of the martian orbit upon the ecliptic was determined by Viking to the level of 0.″001. Corresponding uncertainties for Mercury and Venus are nearly two orders of magnitude larger. For the lunar mean motion with respect to inertial space, the present uncertainty is about 0.″04/cty; at times away from the present, the uncertainty of 1′/cty2 in the acceleration of longitude dominates. The mutual orientations of the equator, ecliptic and lunar orbit are known to 0.″002. The inner four planets and the Moon can now be aligned with respect to the dynamical equinox at a level of about 0.″005.

Lunar Laser Ranging at CERGA for the ruby period (1981–1986)

1993 ◽  
pp. 189-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Veillet ◽  
J. F. Mangin ◽  
J. E. Chabaubie ◽  
C. Dumolin ◽  
D. Feraudy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laser Ranging ◽  
Lunar Laser Ranging ◽  
Lunar Laser

scholarly journals CONSTRAINT ON INTERMEDIATE-RANGE GRAVITY FROM EARTH–SATELLITE AND LUNAR ORBITER MEASUREMENTS, AND LUNAR LASER RANGING

2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1657-1666 ◽  
Author(s):  
GUANGYU LI ◽  
HAIBIN ZHAO
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Earth Satellite ◽  
Laser Ranging ◽  
Satellite Measurement ◽  
Lunar Orbiter ◽  
Lunar Laser Ranging ◽  
Intermediate Range ◽  
Earth Gravity ◽  
Lunar Laser ◽  
Order Of Magnitude

In the experimental tests of gravity, there have been considerable interests in the possibility of intermediate-range gravity. In this paper, we use the earth–satellite measurement of earth gravity, the lunar orbiter measurement of lunar gravity, and lunar laser ranging measurement to constrain the intermediate-range gravity from λ = 1.2 × 107 m –3.8 × 108 m . The limits for this range are α = 10-8–5 × 10-8, which improve previous limits by about one order of magnitude in the range λ = 1.2 × 107 m –3.8 × 108 m .

Effect of non-tidal station loading on Lunar Laser Ranging observatories and on the estimation of Earth orientation parameters

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vishwa Vijay Singh ◽  
Liliane Biskupek ◽  
Jürgen Müller ◽  
Mingyue Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Research Centre ◽  
Laser Ranging ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Lunar Laser Ranging ◽  
Earth Orientation Parameters ◽  
Tidal Station ◽  
Earth Orientation ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Lunar Laser ◽  
Orientation Parameters

<p>The distance between the observatories on Earth and the retro-reflectors on the Moon has been regularly observed by the Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) experiment since 1970. In the recent years, observations with bigger telescopes (APOLLO) and at infra-red wavelength (OCA) are carried out, resulting in a better distribution of precise LLR data over the lunar orbit and the observed retro-reflectors on the Moon, and a higher number of LLR observations in total. Providing the longest time series of any space geodetic technique for studying the Earth-Moon dynamics, LLR can also support the estimation of Earth orientation parameters (EOP), like UT1. The increased number of highly accurate LLR observations enables a more accurate estimation of the EOP. In this study, we add the effect of non-tidal station loading (NTSL) in the analysis of the LLR data, and determine post-fit residuals and EOP. The non-tidal loading datasets provided by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the International Mass Loading Service (IMLS), and the EOST loading service of University of Strasbourg in France are included as corrections to the coordinates of the LLR observatories, in addition to the standard corrections suggested by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) 2010 conventions. The Earth surface deforms up to the centimetre level due to the effect of NTSL. By considering this effect in the Institute of Geodesy (IfE) LLR model (called ‘LUNAR’), we obtain a change in the uncertainties of the estimated station coordinates resulting in an up to 1% improvement, an improvement in the post-fit LLR residuals of up to 9%, and a decrease in the power of the annual signal in the LLR post-fit residuals of up to 57%. In a second part of the study, we investigate whether the modelling of NTSL leads to an improvement in the determination of EOP from LLR data. Recent results will be presented.</p>

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