Accession Number:

ADA551465

Title:

Relativistic Effects on Clocks Aboard GPS Satellites

Descriptive Note:

Journal article

Corporate Author:

NAVAL ACADEMY ANNAPOLIS MD DEPT OF PHYSICS

Personal Author(s):

• Mungan, Carl E.

Report Date:

2006-10-01

Pagination or Media Count:

3.0

Abstract:

Consider a clock aboard a satellite orbiting the Earth, such as a Global Positioning System GPS transmitter. There are two major relativistic influences upon its rate of timekeeping a special relativistic correction for its orbital speed and a general relativistic correction for its orbital altitude. Both of these effects can be treated at an introductory level, making for an appealing application of relativity to everyday life.

Descriptors:

• *CLOCKS
• *GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM
• *NAVIGATION SATELLITES
• ALTITUDE
• EARTH ORBITS
• REPRINTS
• TRANSMITTERS
• VELOCITY

Subject Categories:

• Navigation and Guidance

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE