A possible new test of general relativity with Juno

DOI10.1088/0264-9381/30/19/195011zbMATH Open1277.83015arXiv1302.6920OpenAlexW3103081078WikidataQ56688479 ScholiaQ56688479MaRDI QIDQ2861853FDOQ2861853

Authors: L. Iorio 

Publication date: 11 November 2013

Published in: Classical and Quantum Gravity (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: The expansion in multipoles of the gravitational potential of a rotating body affects the orbital motion of a test particle orbiting it with long-term perturbations both at a classical and at a relativistic level. In this preliminary sensitivity analysis, we show that, for the first time, the J2 c^-2 effects could be measured by the ongoing Juno mission in the gravitational field of Jupiter during its yearlong science phase (10 November 2016-5 October 2017) thanks to its high eccentricity (e=0.947) and to the huge oblateness of Jupiter (J2=1.47 10^-2). The semi-major axis a and the perijove omega of Juno are expected to be shifted by Delta a =700-900 m and Deltaomega = 50-60 milliarcseconds, respectively, over 1-2 yr. A numerical analysis shows also that the expected J2c^-2 range-rate signal for Juno should be as large as 280 microns per second during a typical 6 h pass at its closest approach. Independent analyses previously performed by other researchers about the measurability of the Lense-Thirring effect showed that the radio science apparatus of Juno should reach an accuracy in Doppler range-rate measurements of 1-5 microns per second over such passes. The range-rate signature of the classical even zonal perturbations is different from the 1PN one. Thus, further investigations, based on covariance analyses of simulated Doppler data and dedicated parameters estimation, are worth of further consideration. It turns out that the J2 c^-2 effects cannot be responsible of the flyby anomaly in the gravitational field of the Earth. A dedicated spacecraft in a 6678 km X 57103 km polar orbit would experience a geocentric J2 c^-2 range-rate shift of 0.4 mm s^-1.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1302.6920

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zbMATH Keywords

rotating bodygravitational potentialtest of general relativityJuno

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Equations of motion in general relativity and gravitational theory (83C10) Galactic and stellar dynamics (85A05) Observational and experimental questions in relativity and gravitational theory (83B05)

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Cited In (3)

• Solar system's bounds on the extra acceleration of \(f(R,T)\) gravity revisited
• Effects of standard and modified gravity on interplanetary ranges
• Effect of oblateness of an artificial satellite on the orbits around the triangular points of the Earth-Moon system in the axisymmetric ER3BP

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