Related papers: Finally, results from Gravity Probe-B
We describe the plans for gravitational-wave observations and astrophysics that will be carried out by the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC) in the next decade using data from the LIGO Observatories in the US, and sister facilities abroad…
It is known that gravitational wave backgrounds (GWBs) change the polarization state of photons. This letter explores the possibility of using this effect to detect GWBs. The proposed experiment features a vertically polarized laser pulse…
The laws of gravitation have been tested for a long time with steadily improving precision, leading at some moment of time to paradigmatic evolutions. Pursuing this continual effort is of great importance for science. In this communication,…
I present an overview of the Swift mission, which was launched on November 20, 2004 to discover and observe the most energetic of astrophysical phenomena, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). After almost 6 years in space the Observatory is in…
General Relativity (GR) revolutionized the way we thought about gravity. After briefly describing the key successes of GR and its impact, I will discuss the major conceptual challenges it faces today. I conclude by outlining the prospective…
It is generally accepted that a first ever direct detection of gravity waves would herald a new era in astronomy and in fundamental physics. Ever since the early sixties, increasingly larger human and material resources are being invested…
The difference in the proper azimuthal periods of revolution of two standard clocks in direct and retrograde orbits about a central rotating mass is proportional to J/Mc^2, where J and M are, respectively, the proper angular momentum and…
We review the foundations of Einstein's general theory of relativity, discuss recent progress in the tests of relativistic gravity, and present motivations for new generation of high-accuracy gravitational experiments. We discuss the…
Gravitational-wave detectors with sensitivities sufficient to measure the radiation from astrophysical sources are rapidly coming into existence. By the end of this decade, there will exist several ground-based instruments in North America,…
We propose the concept of a space mission to probe the so called flyby anomaly, an unexpected velocity change experienced by some deep-space probes using earth gravity assists. The key feature of this proposal is the use of GNSS systems to…
We investigate long Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRB) which manifest a sharp linear rise followed by an exponential decay in their gamma-ray prompt emission observed with the BAT instrument on board the Swift satellite. We offer a simple…
We reexamined the gravitational time delay of light, allowing for various models of modified gravity. We clarify the dependence of the time delay (and induced frequency shift) on modified gravity models and investigate how to distinguish…
According to general relativity, a spinning body of mass M and angular momentum S, like a star or a planet, generates a gravitomagnetic field which induces, among other phenomena, also the Lense-Thirring effect, i.e. secular precessions of…
We give a precise theoretical description of initially aligned sets of orthogonal gyroscopes which are transported along different paths from some initial point to the same final point in spacetime. These gyroscope systems can be used to…
In this contribution we present two new proposals for measuring the general relativistic gravitomagnetic component of the gravitational field of the Earth. One proposal consists of the measurement of the difference of the rates of the…
Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are among the most energetic events in the universe, offering insights into stellar collapse, extreme matter behavior, and cosmic evolution. The advent of multi-messenger astronomy, combining electromagnetic,…
It is now widely believed that if the gravitational field is (perturbatively) quantum, it would entangle two massive objects (in spatial superpositions) which were otherwise unentangled to begin with. Recently, actual table-top experiments…
Following a summary of the basic principles of pulsar timing, we present a review of recent results from timing observations of relativistic binary pulsars. In particular, we summarize the status of timing observations of the much…
B-Pol is a medium-class space mission aimed at detecting the primordial gravitational waves generated during inflation through high accuracy measurements of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) polarization. We discuss the scientific…
The discovery of gravitational waves by the international collaboration LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory)/Virgo on the one hand is a triumphant confirmation of the general theory of relativity, and on the other…