Improved Test of the Equivalence Principle for Gravitational Self-Energy

S. Baeßler, B. R. Heckel, E. G. Adelberger, J. H. Gundlach, U. Schmidt, and H. E. Swanson
Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 3585 – Published 1 November 1999
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Abstract

The lunar-ranging test of the equivalence principle for gravitational self-energy is ambiguous. Although the Earth has more gravitational self-energy than the Moon, its sizable Fe/Ni core also gives it a different composition than the Moon. We removed this ambiguity by comparing, in effect, the accelerations of “miniature” earths and moons toward the Sun. Our composition-dependent Earth-Moon acceleration, ΔaCD/as=(+0.1±2.7±1.7)×1013, and lunar-ranging data provide an unambiguous test at the 1.3×103 level.

  • Received 12 July 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.83.3585

©1999 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

S. Baeßler, B. R. Heckel, E. G. Adelberger, J. H. Gundlach, U. Schmidt, and H. E. Swanson

  • Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-1560

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Vol. 83, Iss. 18 — 1 November 1999

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