Determining PPN gamma with Gaia's astrometric core solution

Research output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/reportConference contributionContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • David Hobbs - , Lund University (Author)
  • Berry Holl - , Lund University (Author)
  • Lennart Lindegren - , Lund University (Author)
  • Frederic Raison - , European Space Agency - ESA (Author)
  • Sergei Klioner - , Chair of Astronomy (Author)
  • Alexey Butkevich - , Chair of Astronomy (Author)

Abstract

The ESA space astrometry mission Gala, due for launch in early 2012, will in addition to its huge output of fundamental astrometric and astrophysical data also provide stringent tests of general relativity. In this paper we present an updated analysis of Gaia's capacity to measure the PPN parameter gamma as part of its core astrometric solution. The analysis is based on small-scale astrometric solutions taking into account the simultaneous determination of stellar astrometric parameters and the satellite attitude. In particular, the statistical correlation between PPN gamma and the stellar parallaxes is considered. Extrapolating the results to a full-scale solution using some 100 million stars, we find that PPN gamma could be obtained to about 10(-6), which is significantly better than today's best estimate from the Cassini mission of 2 x 10(-5).

Details

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRELATIVITY IN FUNDAMENTAL ASTRONOMY: DYNAMICS, REFERENCE FRAMES, AND DATA ANALYSIS
EditorsSA Klioner, PK Seidelmann, MH Soffel
PublisherCambridge University Press
Pages315-+
Number of pages2
ISBN (print)978-0-521-76481-0
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Peer-reviewedYes

Publication series

SeriesIAU Symposium Proceedings Series
Volume261
ISSN1743-9213

Conference

Title261st Symposium of the International-Astronomical-Union
Duration27 April - 1 May 2009
CityVirginia Beach
CountryHoly See (Vatican City)

External IDs

Scopus 84864434714

Keywords

Keywords

  • Astrometry, relativity, gravitation, data analysis, HIPPARCOS DATA