RELATIVISTIC CORRECTIONS FOR TERRESTRIAL CLOCK SYNCHRONIZATION.
Abstract
The following relativistic effects which cause terrestrial clocks at different localities to drift relative to each other are evaluated: the special relativity time dilation due to differences in relative velocities arising from the earth's rotation, and the general relativity drifts caused by differences in the local gravitational potentials. It is shown that for clocks at sea level the two effects cancel exactly, no matter how far apart on the earth they are located. The geodetic ''geoid'' surface is shown to be the proper inland extension of this zero-drift surface, and a relation for the total relative drifts for clocks at different elevations above the geoid is derived. Elevations are conventionally given relative to the geoid. Drifts of up to one part in 10 to the 12th power or 30 micro sec/yr arise. Drifts of this order between clocks at widely separated points are measurable today, and tests of Einstein's theory could thus be made.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0486938
Entities
People
- William J. Cocke
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation