Gyros, Clocks, Interferometers: Testing Relativistic Gravity in Space [Hardcover]

Many new tests of gravity and, in particular, of Einstein's general relativity theory will be carried out in the near future: The Lense--Thirring effect and the equivalence principle will be tested in space; moreover, gravitational waves will be detected, and new atomic interferometers and clocks will be built for measurements in gravitational and inertial fields. New high-precision devices have made these experiments feasible. They will contribute to a better understanding of gravitational physics. Both experimental developments and the theoretical concepts are collected in this volume. Exhaustive reviews give an overall insight into the subject of experimental gravitation.Overview.- An Overview of Solar System Gravitational Physics: The TheoryExperiment Interface.- Determination of the Gravitational Constant.- The LenseThrirring Effect.- The LenseThirring Effect: From the Basic Notions to the Observed Effects.- Gravity Probe B: Countdown to Launch.- Gravitomagnetism and the Clock Effect.- Spinning Relativistic Particles in External Fields.- Detection of Gravitational Waves.- The GEO 600 Gravitational Wave Detector Status, Research, Development.- Gravitational Radiation Theory and Light Propagation.- Relic Gravitational Waves and Their Detection.- The Equivalence Principle.- Principles of Equivalence: Their Role in Gravitation Physics and Experiments That Test Them.- STEP: A Status Report.- High Sensitive DC SQUID Based Position Detectors for Application in Gravitational Experiments at the Drop Tower Bremen.- Space Accelerometers: Present Status.- Searching for Extra Dimensions and New String-Inspired Forces in the Casimir Regime.- Relativistic Effects in the Motion of the Moon.- Lunar Laser Ranging  A Comprehensive Probe of the Post-Newtonian Long Range Interaction.- Testing Relativistic Gravityand Measuring Solar System Parameters via Optical Space Missions.- Clocks and Rods.- Clocks for Length and Time Measurement.- SpaceTime Mission: Clock Test of Relativitl³I