VARIATIONS OF LIGHT VELOCITY AS A POSSIBLE SOURCE OF ERRORS IN
ASTRONAVIGATION, RADIOLOCATION AND LASER RANGING
S. A. Semikov
Lobachevsky State University of Nizhniy Novgorod
The paper is received
on December 18, 2013
Abstract: Analysis of systematic errors in astronavigation, radiolocation and
laser ranging of astronomical objects and spacecraft is carried out. In
particular, errors of radiodetermination of Venus, Pioneer effect, Flyby
anomaly and irregularities of the Moon and Earth rotation detected by laser
ranging are studied. The ballistic theory is analyzed according to which these
errors are caused by unaccounted variations of radio signal and light
velocities which, in their turn, are caused by influence of source velocity. It
is shown that this classical theory predicts the correct value and sign of the
error in all the studied cases and consideration of variability of light
velocity as well as consideration of reemission of the light by the medium
allows to relevantly decrease the value of systematical errors.
Key words: planetary radar, astronavigation, speed of light, ballistic theory,
Lunar laser ranging, GPS, GLONASS.