Gravitomagnetism The Myth and the Legend Eric L. Michelsen 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

My One Sentence Gravity includes a velocity-independent force (Newton) and a velocity-dependent force (gravitomagnetic), closely analogous to the electric and magnetic fields in E&M Purely relativistic effect, not in Newtonian gravity 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

Topics Einstein’s Theory of Gravity Metric Theories of Gravity Prerequisite: some familiarity with General Relativity helps Einstein’s Theory of Gravity Metric Theories of Gravity The Gravitomagnetic Term Precessing Gyroscopes Gravity Probe B Lunar Orbital Perturbations The Controversy Papers: [1] Gravitomagnetic Effects, M. L. Ruggiero et. al., arXiv:gr-qc/0207065v2, 7/9/2004. [2] The Role of Gravitomagnetism on Gyroscopes and the Moon, Tom Murphy, UCSD, as yet unpublished. [3] Lunar Laser Ranging – A Comprehensive Probe of Post-Newtonian Gravity, K. Nordtvedt, arXiv:gr-qc/0301024, 1/7/2003. 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

Gravitomagnetism The orphan child of gravitational physics Renewed interest with launch of Gravity Probe B Lorentz invariance implies a gravitomagnetic field [1, p3] “Any theory that combines Newtonian gravity together with Lorentz invariance in a consistent way, must include a gravitomagnetic field, which is generated by mass current.” [1] Dr. O’Neil says that a 1/r2 force law is not Lorentz invariant Since Lorentz transformation includes velocity, any 1/r2 force must be accompanied by a source-velocity-dependent field Given the structure of the Lorentz transformation, the velocity dependent field must be a Biot-Savart-like magnetic field (to within a constant factor). Aka “frame-dragging” – Bad Name Bad name because the direction of force depends on the test-body velocity. It’s not like being dragged in a stream 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

GR: A Metric Theory of Gravity A metric theory of gravity defines a metric tensor field throughout all space The metric tensor field describes the “shape” (curvature) of space All physics, gravitational and otherwise, occurs in the physical spacetime described by the metric tensor field. The only dynamic field is the metric tensor field (loosely analogous to the EM field in electromagnetics) Field Equation sources of field spacetime of all physics metric tensor field mass/ energy (smoothly curved manifold) R and R are nonlinear functions of g Just about the simplest metric theory of gravity there is 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

The Metric Tensor Field The metric tensor field quantifies intervals, frame independent measures of the separation between two events. In an inertial frame (flat space), the squared-interval is the squared-distance between two events, minus the squared-distance light travels in the time between the events: (c dt)2 dx2 −ds2 In general, the metric tensor field defines the dot product of any two vectors 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

Metric Theories of Gravity By definition [Will, 1993], a metric theory of gravity defines a metric tensor field throughout all space But other unobservable fields may be defined Their only purpose is to define the metric tensor through field equations In the end, only the metric tensor field affects observable physics Field Equations sources of fields Fields: metric tensor field scalar field other fields spacetime of all physics mass/ energy Field equations relate all the fields, to define the all-important metric tensor field. 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

A Perturbing Thought Nonlinear equations are hard to solve Use perturbation theory: h just makes the equations simpler 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

The Gravitomagnetic Term Use perturbation theory to compute the weak-field, non-relativistic perturbation to the metric: Compare to E&M (tensor vs. vector): Can jump right to gravity waves; but let’s not. 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

The Gravitomagnetic Field Use the perturbed metric to compute the equations of motion. (Solve the geodesic equation.) Gravitomagnetic term: ai x y vi rij source of field vj Left hand rule Compare to Biot-Savart: No standard convention for factors of 2, signs, etc. 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

Where Did the Tensor Go? To order (1/c2), only the first row and column of h are significant: Reduces equations to vectors (rank-1 tensors) 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

Gravitational “Maxwell’s Equations” Valid for weak field, non-relativistic speeds Imply propagating waves: gravity waves Factors of 2 are remnants of rank-2 tensor wave equation, and spin 2 gravitons No standard conventions for factors of 2, signs, etc. 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

Gravitomagnetically Precessing Gyroscopes Use the solar system barycentric frame Source of gravitomagnetic field is earth’s spin Precession at poles is same direction as earth spin This is not geodetic precession; gravitomagnetism is much smaller mass element ai vi L  precession BG L vi ai x y z BG BG 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

Gravity Probe B Equatorial precession opposite direction of earth spin Partially cancels GPB signal: total precession = ¼ polar precession Dipole approximation no good: altitude 640 km = 0.1 R Dipole approximation is never much good: if far enough for dipole, effect is too small to see Do the integral: 42 mas/y is the published number precession polar orbit L precession L x y z 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

Lunar Orbital Effects Solar system barycentric frame: Source of gravitomagnetic field is earth’s orbit around sun Spin of the earth is negligible We decompose the lunar velocity into two components V: Lunar motion around sun = earth’s motion around sun u: Lunar motion around earth u vmoon = V + u Sun V Earth V x y magnified view 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

Lunar Orbit Perturbations Velocities: both objects orbit the sun at ~30 km /s Lorentz contraction: should contract tangential size, but not elongate?? a to sun BG V elongated orbit D V BG = 0 BG = 0 orbital elongation ~ cos 2D ≈ 5 meters x y V BG a 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

Lunar Orbit Perturbations: Part Deux Velocity: moon orbits earth at ~1 km/s to sun u BG a D V BG = 0 BG = 0 orbital offset ~ cos D ≈ 5 meters x y offset orbit u BG a 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010

The Controversy Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) confirms the gravitomagnetic term to 0.1% Gravity Probe B will confirm it with a different method to only 1% Word-of-mouth claims say there is more to GPB than just the gravitomagnetic effect But [2] did the math, and recovers the published value of 42 mas/y Is GPB new physics? “Most all of the 1/c2 order, post-Newtonian terms in the N-body equations of motion – motional, gravitomagnetic, non-linear, inductive, etc. – contribute to the measured details of the lunar orbit, so LLR achieves near-completeness as a gravity experiment and probe.” [3, p1] Possible confusion due to Sun’s quadrupolar tidal field, which produces cos 2D term (but 90o out of phase). [3, p3] 3/30/2005, Revised 1/2010