The Gravity Probe B test of general relativity

2015144 citationsJournal Articlehybrid Open Access

Authors

C. W. F. Everitt · Stanford University

B. Muhlfelder · Stanford University

Daniel B. DeBra · Stanford University

B. W. Parkinson · Stanford University

J. P. Turneaure · Stanford University

A. S. Silbergleit · Stanford University

E B Acworth ·

Abstract

The Gravity Probe B mission provided two new quantitative tests of Einstein's theory of gravity, general relativity (GR), by cryogenic gyroscopes in Earth's orbit. Data from four gyroscopes gave a geodetic drift-rate of −6601.8 ± 18.3 marc-s yr−1 and a frame-dragging of −37.2 ± 7.2 marc-s yr−1, to be compared with GR predictions of −6606.1 and −39.2 marc-s yr−1 (1 marc-s = 4.848 × 10−9 radians). The present paper introduces the science, engineering, data analysis, and heritage of Gravity Probe B, detailed in the accompanying 20 CQG papers.

Topics & Keywords

Geophysics and Gravity Measurements Scientific Research and Discoveries Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable cities and communities

Publication Details

Published in: Classical and Quantum Gravity

Volume 32, Issue 22, pp. 224001-224001

DOI: 10.1088/0264-9381/32/22/224001

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 16.61