Relativistic stellar aberration for the Space Interferometry Mission

Abstract

This paper analyses the relativistic stellar aberration requirements for the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM). We address the issue of general relativistic deflection of light by the massive self-gravitating bodies. Specifically, we present estimates for corresponding deflection angles due to the monopole components of the gravitational fields of a large number of celestial bodies in the solar system. We study the possibility of deriving an additional navigational constraints from the need to correct for the gravitational bending of light that is traversing the solar system. It turns out that positions of the outer planets presently may not have a sufficient accuracy for the precision astrometry. However, SIM may significantly improve those simply as a by-product of its astrometric program. We also consider influence of the higher gravitational multipoles, notably the quadrupole and the octupole ones, on the gravitational bending of light. Thus, one will have to model and account for their influence while observing the sources of interest in the close proximity of some of the outer planets, notably the Jupiter and the Saturn. Results presented here are different from the ones obtained elsewhere by the fact that we specifically account for the differential nature of the future SIM astrometric campaign (e.g. observations will be made over the instrument's field of regard with the size of 15$^\circ$). This, in particular, lets us to obtain a more realistic estimate for the accuracy of determination of the parameterized post-Newtonian (PPN) parameter $γ$. Thus, based on a very conservative assumptions, we conclude that accuracy of $σ_γ\sim 10^{-5}$ is achievable in the experiments conducted in the solar gravity field.