Space clocks to test relativity: ACES and SAGAS

Peter Wolf (1) , Christophe Salomon (2) , Serge Reynaud (3)

1 SYRTE - Systèmes de Référence Temps Espace
2 LKB (Lhomond) - Laboratoire Kastler Brossel
3 LKB (Jussieu) - Laboratoire Kastler Brossel

Atomic clocks are an outstanding tool for the experimental verification of general relativity and more generally for fundamental astronomy (VLBI, pulsar timing, navigation, etc). Recent years have seen a rapid improvement in the performance of such clocks, promising new improved tests of relativity, in particular onboard terrestrial and interplanetary space missions. We present the scientific motivations of such tests taking the ACES Salomon et al. and SAGAS Wolf et al. (2009) projects as particular examples.

Domaines: Physique Quantique [quant-ph]; Relativité Générale et Cosmologie Quantique [gr-qc]

Peter Wolf, Christophe Salomon, Serge Reynaud. Space clocks to test relativity: ACES and SAGAS. Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, 2010, 5, pp.377-389. ⟨10.1017/S1743921309990676⟩. ⟨hal-00486218⟩