On the Speed of Gravity and Relativistic v/c Corrections to the Shapiro Time Delay

Following a quantum-gravity approach we use a gravitational quantum defined elsewhere as well as an effective gravitational "cross section" in conjunction with Mach's Principle and the de Broglie wavelength concept. We find the speed of gravity v_g related to a gravitational mass m as given by v_g of order c (M_u/m)^(1/2), where c is the speed of light and M_u the mass of the seeable Universe. For the solar system we get v_g of order 10^(11) c, which agrees very well with exp...

We have determined the relativistic light deflection of the quasar J0842+1835 as Jupiter passed within 3.7' on 2002 September 8, by measuring the time delay using the VLBA and Effelsberg radio telescopes at 8.4 GHz. At closest approach, General Relativity (GR) predicts a radial (static) deflection of 1190 microarcsec, and tangential (retarded) deflection in the direction of Jupiter's motion of 51 microarcsec. Our experiment achieved an rms position error of <10 microarcsec, a...

Several physical concepts, including the concept of time, are clarified herein by taking into account existing experimental data. In addition, the missing links among these physical concepts are established. This allows us to take another step towards understanding the physical nature of time.

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 advances in our understanding of fundamental physics anticipated in the near future and evaluate discovery potential of the recently proposed gravitational experiments.

It is known that a fully relativistic integration of the null geodesics of a weak perturbation of flat spacetime leads to a correction of order $v/c$ to the bending angle and time delay due to a gravitational lens in slow motion with small acceleration. The existence of the $v/c$ correction was verified by the VLBI experiment of the bending of light by Jupiter on September 8, 2002. Here the $v/c$ correction is interpreted by means of standard aberration of light in an optical...

Statements about relativistic effects are often subtle. In this essay we will demonstrate that the three classical tests of general relativity, namely perihelion precession, deflection of light and gravitational redshift, are passed perfectly by an extension of Newtonian gravity that includes gravitational time dilation effects while retaining a non-relativistic causal structure. This non-relativistic gravity theory arises from a covariant large speed of light expansion of Ei...

We consider the possibility of an alternative gravity theory explaining the dynamics of galactic systems without dark matter. From very general assumptions about the structure of a relativistic gravity theory we derive a general expression for the metric to order $(v/c)^2$. This allows us to compare the predictions of the theory with various experimental data: the Newtonian limit, light deflection and retardation, rotation of galaxies and gravitational lensing. Our general co...

The time delay of light as it passes by a massive object, first calculated by Shapiro in 1964, is a hallmark of the curvature of space-time. To date, all measurements of the Shapiro time delay have been made over solar-system distance scales. We show that the new generation of kilometer-scale laser interferometers being constructed as gravitational wave detectors, in particular Advanced LIGO, will in principle be sensitive enough to measure variations in the Shapiro time dela...

A null ray approaching a distant astronomical source appears to slow down, while a massive particle speeds up in accordance with Newtonian gravitation. The integration of these apparently incompatible aspects of motion in general relativity is due to the existence of a critical speed. Dynamics of particles moving faster than the critical speed could then be contrary to Newtonian expectations. Working within the framework of gravitoelectromagnetism, the implications of the exi...

Relationship between the speed of gravity c_g and the speed of light c_e in the bi-metric theory of gravity is discussed. We reveal that the speed of light is a function of the speed of gravity which is a primary fundamental constant. Thus, experimental measurement of relativistic bending of light propagating in time-dependent gravitational field directly compares the speed of gravity versus the speed of light and tests if there is any aether associated with the gravitational...