Murphy et al. Reply to the Comment by Kopeikin on "Gravitomagnetic Influence on Gyroscopes and on the Lunar Orbit"

TL;DR

This paper defends the necessity of the gravitomagnetic term in lunar laser ranging analysis, confirming its consistency with general relativity and the Lense-Thirring effect, and discusses implications of modifying its strength.

Contribution

It clarifies the role of the gravitomagnetic term in lunar ranging and defends its predicted strength against modifications, ensuring consistency with observational data.

Findings

Gravitomagnetic term is essential for accurate lunar ranging.

Modifying the gravitomagnetic strength disrupts data fit.

The analysis supports general relativity's predictions.

Abstract

Lunar laser ranging analysis, as regularly performed in the solar system barycentric frame, requires the presence of the gravitomagnetic term in the equation of motion at the strength predicted by general relativity. The same term is responsible for the Lense Thirring effect. Any attempt to modify the strength of the gravitomagnetic interaction would have to do so in a way that does not destroy the fit to lunar ranging data and other observations.