GLADE: Gravitational Light-Bending Astrometry Dual-Satellite Experiment

Journal
Date Issued
2024
Author(s)
•
•
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Butkevich, Alexey G.
•
•
DOI
Abstract
Light bending is one of the classical tests of general relativity and is a crucial aspect to be taken into account for accurate assessments of photon propagation. In particular, high-precision astrometry can constrain theoretical models of gravitation in the weak field limit applicable to the Sun neighborhood. We propose a concept for experimental determination of the light deflection close to the Sun in the (Formula presented.) to (Formula presented.) range, in a modern rendition of the 1919 experiment by Dyson, Eddington and Davidson, using formation flying to generate an artificial long-lasting eclipse. The technology is going to be demonstrated by the forthcoming ESA mission PROBA3. The experimental setup includes two units separated by 150 m and aligned to the mm level: an occulter and a small telescope (0.3 m diameter) with an annular field of view covering a region (Formula presented.) from the Sun. The design is compatible with a space weather payload, merging several instruments for observation of the solar corona and environment. We discuss the measurement conditions and the expected performance.
Volume
14
Issue
2
Start page
888
Uri
Url
Issn Identifier
2076-3417
Rights
open.access
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