Characteristics of differential lunar laser ranging

authored by: Mingyue Zhang, Jürgen Müller, Liliane Biskupek, Vishwa Vijay Singh
Abstract: Context. To obtain more details about the lunar interior, a station at Table Mountain Observatory of JPL will enable a new measurement of lunar laser ranging (LLR), known as differential lunar laser ranging (DLLR). It will provide a novel type of observable, namely, the lunar range difference, which is the difference of two consecutive ranges obtained via a single station swiftly switching between two or more lunar reflectors. This previously unavailable observation will have a very high level of accuracy (about 30 μm), mainly resulting from a reduction in the Eartha's atmospheric error. In addition to the intended improvements for the lunar part, it is expected to contribute to improved relativity tests, for instance, the equivalence principle (EP). Aims. This paper focuses on the simulation and investigation of the characteristics of DLLR. Methods. Using simulated DLLR data, we analyzed and compared the parameter sensitivity, correlation, and accuracy obtained by DLLR with those attained by LLR. Results. The DLLR measurement maintains almost the same sensitivity to certain parameters (called group A) as that of LLR, such as the lunar orientation parameters. For other parameters (called group B), such as station coordinates, it is shown to be less sensitive. However, owing to its extraordinary measurement accuracy, it not only retains nearly the same level of accuracy of group B as LLR, but it also improves the estimation of group A significantly (with the exception of reflector coordinates, due to the DLLR measuring mode). Also, DLLR increases the correlations among the reflectors and between stations and reflectors caused by its constellation. Additionally, we compared different switching intervals with respect to sensitivity and correlation. Large switching intervals are more beneficial for group B and the decorrelation of stations and reflectors. Furthermore, DLLR enhances the accuracy of EP tests.
Organisation(s): QuantumFrontiers
Institute of Geodesy
External Organisation(s): DLR-Institute for Satellite Geodesy and Inertial Sensing
Type: Article
Journal: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Volume: 659
No. of pages: 11
ISSN: 1432-0746
Publication date: 03.2022
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Astronomy and Astrophysics, Space and Planetary Science
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202142841 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{671a50b666754d568fc6a5604cc00390,
title = "Characteristics of differential lunar laser ranging",
abstract = "Context. To obtain more details about the lunar interior, a station at Table Mountain Observatory of JPL will enable a new measurement of lunar laser ranging (LLR), known as differential lunar laser ranging (DLLR). It will provide a novel type of observable, namely, the lunar range difference, which is the difference of two consecutive ranges obtained via a single station swiftly switching between two or more lunar reflectors. This previously unavailable observation will have a very high level of accuracy (about 30 μm), mainly resulting from a reduction in the Eartha's atmospheric error. In addition to the intended improvements for the lunar part, it is expected to contribute to improved relativity tests, for instance, the equivalence principle (EP). Aims. This paper focuses on the simulation and investigation of the characteristics of DLLR. Methods. Using simulated DLLR data, we analyzed and compared the parameter sensitivity, correlation, and accuracy obtained by DLLR with those attained by LLR. Results. The DLLR measurement maintains almost the same sensitivity to certain parameters (called group A) as that of LLR, such as the lunar orientation parameters. For other parameters (called group B), such as station coordinates, it is shown to be less sensitive. However, owing to its extraordinary measurement accuracy, it not only retains nearly the same level of accuracy of group B as LLR, but it also improves the estimation of group A significantly (with the exception of reflector coordinates, due to the DLLR measuring mode). Also, DLLR increases the correlations among the reflectors and between stations and reflectors caused by its constellation. Additionally, we compared different switching intervals with respect to sensitivity and correlation. Large switching intervals are more beneficial for group B and the decorrelation of stations and reflectors. Furthermore, DLLR enhances the accuracy of EP tests.",
keywords = "Astrometry, Celestial mechanics, Methods: data analysis, Moon",
author = "Mingyue Zhang and J{\"u}rgen M{\"u}ller and Liliane Biskupek and Singh, {Vishwa Vijay}",
note = "Funding Information: Acknowledgements. Current LLR data were collected, archived, and distributed under the auspices of the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) (Pearlman et al. 2019). We acknowledge with thanks that since 1969 LLR data has been obtained under the efforts of the personnel at the McDonald Observatory in Texas, USA, the LURE Observatory in Maui, Hawaii, USA, the Observatoire de la C{\^o}te dAzur in France, the Wettzell Laser Ranging System in Germany, the Matera Laser Ranging station in Italy and the Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico, USA. This research was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsge-meinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany{\textquoteright}s Excellence Strategy-EXC-2123 QuantumFrontiers-390837967. The study brought together the efforts of all authors. Everyone provided good suggestions. The first draft of the manuscript was written by MZ. All authors made comments on previous versions of the manuscript. The final version was approved by all authors.",
year = "2022",
month = mar,
doi = "10.1051/0004-6361/202142841",
language = "English",
volume = "659",
journal = "Astronomy and Astrophysics",
issn = "1432-0746",
publisher = "EDP Sciences",
}