General Relativistic and Post-Newtonian Dynamics for Near-Earth Objects and Solar System Bodies

Owing to the increased accuracy requirements in fields such as astrometry and geodesy the general theory of relativity must be taken into account for any mission requiring highly accurate orbit information and for practically all observation and measurement techniques.

This book highlights the confluence of Applied Mathematics, Physics and Space Science as seen from Einstein's general theory of relativity and aims to bridge the gap between theoretical and applied domains. The book investigates three distinct areas of general relativity:

1. Exact solutions of the Einstein field equations of gravitation.
2. Dynamics of near-Earth objects and solar system bodies.
3. Relativistic orbitography.

This book is an updated and expanded version of the author's PhD thesis which was awarded the International Astronomical Union PhD prize in Division A: Fundamental Astronomy. Included is a new introduction aimed at graduate students of GeneralRelativity and extended discussions and results on topics in post-Newtonian dynamics and general relativistic spacecraft propagation.

Autorentext

Dr. Joseph O'Leary is an applied mathematician and research fellow with EOS Space Systems Pty. Ltd. At present, he is working on the application of semi-analytic satellite theory for operational spacecraft catalogue maintenance and is in close collaboration with the University of French Polynesia working on general relativistic orbitography. Joseph completed his PhD at the University of South Australia which has been recognised internationally through the IAU PhD prize in Division A: Fundamental Astronomy and the inaugural Michael Miller medal from the University of South Australia. Joseph is a keen advocate of scientific communication and has disseminated his research on several stages including the University of South Australia TEDx event.

Inhalt

Introduction.- Spherically Symmetric General Relativity.- The Post-Newtonian Approximation.- Post-Newtonian Energy Integrals.- Post-Newtonian Satellite Orbits.