The Implications of Precise Timekeeping for Doppler Gravitational Wave Observations
Abstract
Gravitational radiation from galactic and extragalactic astrophysical sources will induce spatial strains in the solar system, strains which can be measured directly by the Doppler radio link to distant spacecraft. We delineate current noise sources in Pioneer and Voyager Doppler data and make a comparison with expected signal levels from gravitational wave sources. The main conclusion is that it is possible to detect gravitational radiation with current DSN hydrogen maser systems stable in fractional frequency to +or- 2 x 10 to the negative 14th power, over 1000 sec. In the future, however, a serious Doppler observational program in gravitational wave astronomy will require frequency systems stable to at least 10 to the negative 16th power, but at the same time the current single frequency S-band uplink transmission will have to be replaced by a dual frequency capability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA497647
Entities
People
- F. B. Estabrook
- J. W. Armstrong
- John Anderson
Organizations
- California Institute of Technology