Post-Newtonian limitations on measurement of the PPN parameters caused by motion of gravitating bodies

• Published in: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Vol. 399; no. 3; pp. 1539 - 1552
• Main Author: Kopeikin, S. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-11-2009; Wiley-Blackwell; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Astronomy; Astrophysics; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; gravitation; Gravity; Mathematics; methods: analytical; Solar system; techniques: interferometric; techniques: radar astronomy; methods: analytical; techniques: radar astronomy; gravitation; techniques: interferometric; Gravitation; Gravitational fields; Lorentz invariance; Sun; Planets; Geodesics; Post-newtonian approximation; Analytical method; Solar system; Time delay
• ISSN: 0035-8711; 1365-2966
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2009.15387.x

We derive an explicit Lorentz-invariant solution of the Einstein and null geodesic equations for data processing of the time delay and ranging experiments in the gravitational field of moving gravitating bodies of the Solar system – the Sun and major planets. We discuss the general-relativistic interpretation of these experiments and the limitations imposed by motion of the massive bodies on measurement of the parameters γPPN, βPPN and δPPN of the parametrized post-Newtonian (PPN) formalism.