12 - Solar system tests of general relativity: recent results and present plans

Summary

Introduction

Experimental tests of general relativity are difficult. Physicists were well aware that pregnant new conceptual insights came mostly from young minds. Now, experimentalists must be cut from that mold, previously the exclusive preserve of theorists. Why? The time elapsed between a good idea for an experimental test and its execution is fast approaching the normal human lifetime. Experimenters must now start young-very young-to live to see the fruits of their ideas realized.

I divide the remainder of this paper into two parts, corresponding, respectively, to the past light cone and the future light cone. Under the former rubric, I discuss, in order, tests of the principle of equivalence, light deflection, signal retardation, perihelia advances, geodetic precession, and the constancy of the gravitational “constant.” Under the latter, I mention improved reincarnations of some of these tests, as well as proposed redshift and frame-dragging experiments.

With the proper reference frame established, I move on to the review of recent results and present plans. Because of space and time constraints, much of the treatment is perforce superficial, but, in keeping with the Fourth of July spirit, I shall be democratic and treat all experiments with (almost) equal superficiality.

Past light cone

Principle of equivalence

Space tests of the principle of equivalence have been primarily concerned with measuring the equivalence between gravitational and inertial mass in regard to the contribution to each of gravitational self-energy.