Benefit of New High-Precision LLR Data for the Determination of Relativistic Parameters

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that recent high-precision Lunar Laser Ranging data significantly improve the accuracy of relativistic parameter estimates, confirming Einstein's theory within current measurement limits.

Contribution

The paper evaluates the impact of new high-precision LLR data on determining relativistic parameters, showing improved accuracy and constraints compared to previous data sets.

Findings

Enhanced precision in relativistic parameters due to better lunar orbit coverage

No detected violation of Einstein's theory within current measurement uncertainties

Set improved limits on gravitational constant variation and PPN parameters

Abstract

Since 1969, Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) data have been collected by various observatories and analysed by different analysis groups. In the recent years, observations with bigger telescopes (APOLLO) and at infra-red wavelength (OCA) are carried out, resulting in a better distribution of precise LLR data over the lunar orbit and the observed retro-reflectors on the Moon. This is a great advantage for various investigations in the LLR analysis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the benefit of the new LLR data for the determination of relativistic parameters. Here we show current results for relativistic parameters like a possible temporal variation of the gravitational constant $\dot{G}/G_0 = (-5.0 \pm 9.6) \times 10^{-15} \, \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$, the equivalence principle with $\Delta\left(m_g/m_i\right)_{\mathrm{EM}} = (-2.1 \pm 2.4)\times10^{-14}$ and the PPN parameters $\beta-1 = (6.2 \pm 7.2) \times 10^{-5}$ and $\gamma-1 = (1.7 \pm 1.6) \times 10^{-4}$. The results show a significant improvement in the accuracy of the various parameters, mainly due to better coverage of the lunar orbit, better distribution of measurements over the lunar retro-reflectors, and last but not least, higher accuracy of the data. Within the estimated accuracies, no violation of Einstein's theory is found and the results set improved limits for the different effects.