Light propagation in the field of a moving axisymmetric body: theory and application to JUNO

Abstract

Given the extreme accuracy of modern space science, a precise relativistic modeling of observations is required. We use the Time Transfer Functions formalism to study light propagation in the field of uniformly moving axisymmetric bodies, which extends the field of application of previous works. We first present a space-time metric adapted to describe the geometry of an ensemble of uniformly moving bodies. Then, we show that the expression of the Time Transfer Functions in the field of a uniformly moving body can be easily derived from its well-known expression in a stationary field by using a change of variables. We also give a general expression of the Time Transfer Function in the case of an ensemble of arbitrarily moving point masses. This result is given in the form of an integral easily computable numerically. We also provide the derivatives of the Time Transfer Function in this case, which are mandatory to compute Doppler and astrometric observables. We particularize our results in the case of moving axisymmetric bodies. Finally, we apply our results to study the different relativistic contributions to the range and Doppler tracking for the JUNO mission in the Jovian system.

17 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. D, some corrections after review

References in corpus (5)

• Spacecraft VLBI and Doppler tracking: algorithms and implementation
• General post-Minkowskian expansion of time transfer functions
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• Relativistic tidal effects on clock-comparison experiments
• Impact analysis of the transponder time delay on radio-tracking observables
• Application of Time Transfer Functions to Gaia's global astrometry - Validation on DPAC simulated Gaia-like observations
• Post-Minkowskian solution for the small-deflection motion of test particles in Kerr-Newman spacetime