2001/01/23 by Herbert Lichtenegger, H. Lichtenegger, Lichtenegger, H. +8
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc) #Geophysics and Gravity Measurements #Geophysics and Sensor Technology #Relativity and Gravitational Theory #gr-qc
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.gr-qc/0101089
5 pages, 1 figure, LaTeX, to appear in Advances in Space Research
arxiv created 2001/01/23 · openalex publication_date 2001/01/23 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
As a consequence of gravitomagnetism, which is a fundamental weak-field prediction of general relativity and ubiquitous in gravitational phenomena, clocks show a difference in their proper periods when moving along identical orbits in opposite directions about a spinning mass. This time shift is induced by the rotation of the source and may be used to verify the existence of the terrestrial gravitomagnetic field by means of orbiting clocks. A possible mission scenario is outlined with emphasis given to some of the major difficulties which inevitably arise in connection with such a venture.