Test of the inverse-square law of gravitation using the 300-m tower at Erie, Colorado

C. C. Speake, T. M. Niebauer, M. P. McHugh, P. T. Keyser, J. E. Faller, J. Y. Cruz, J. C. Harrison, Jaako Mäkinen, and R. B. Beruff
Phys. Rev. Lett. 65, 1967 – Published 15 October 1990
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Abstract

Gravity was measured at eight different heights on a 300-m meterological tower using LaCoste and Romberg gravimeters. The observed values were adjusted for tides, drift, and gravimeter screw errors, and tested for systematic effects due to tower motion. These results are compared with values predicted using Newton’s inverse-square law from surface gravity. The differences exhibit no systematic trends and their rms value is only 10×108 m s2, well within the estimated errors of the experiment. This result places new constraints on the possible strength and range of any non-Newtonian force.

  • Received 28 December 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.65.1967

©1990 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

C. C. Speake, T. M. Niebauer, M. P. McHugh, P. T. Keyser, and J. E. Faller

  • Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, University of Colorado and National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0440

J. Y. Cruz and J. C. Harrison

  • Geodynamics Corporation, 5520 Ekwill Street, Suite A, Santa Barbara, California 93111

Jaako Mäkinen

  • Finnish Geodetic Institute, Ilmalankatu 1A, SF-00240 Helsinki, Finland

R. B. Beruff

  • Defense Mapping Agency, F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming 82005

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Issue

Vol. 65, Iss. 16 — 15 October 1990

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