Speaker: Richard Matzner (Texas U.)
Title: Satellite laser-ranging as a probe of fundamental physics
Abstract:
Satellite laser-ranging is successfully used in space geodesy, geodynamics and Earth sciences; and to test fundamental physics and specific features of General Relativity. We present a confirmation to approximately one part in a billion of the fundamental weak equivalence principle (“uniqueness of free fall”) in the Earth’s gravitational field, obtained with three laser-ranged satellites, at previously untested range and with previously untested materials. the weak equivalence principle is at the foundation of General Relativity and of most gravitational theories
Room: Zoom videoconference (contact justin.feng@tecnico.ulisboa.pt for URL)