Summary
We describe a new method to obtain the first direct measurement of the Lense-Thirring effect, or dragging of inertial frames, and the first direct detection of the gravitomagnetic field. This method is based on the observations of the orbits of the laser-ranged satellites LAGEOS and LAGEOS II. By this new approach one achieves a measurement of the gravitomagnetic field with accuracy of about 25%, or less, of the Lense-Thirring effect in general relativity.
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Ciufolini, I. On a new method to measure the gravitomagnetic field using two orbiting satellites. Nuov Cim A 109, 1709–1720 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02773551
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02773551