General Relativity and Its Effects on Planetary Orbits and Interplanetary Observations

摘要

A discussion is presented of all aspects of the General Relativity Theory that can be tested at present or in the near future by performance of interplanetary radar experiments. The assumptions underlying general relativity and the mathematical concepts and techniques used are first introduced. Then the approximate equations of motion, to the accuracy needed for the solar system, are derived. Finally, the propagation of electromagnetic waves according to general relativity is considered, and expressions for the time delays and Doppler shifts are obtained. (Author)