PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Relativity & Gravitation · Schwarzschild spacetime and the tests of general relativity · Schwarzschild spacetime and the tests of general relativity
The Geometry of Gravity, Ch Orbits and light rays in Schwarzschild spacetime
Problem
Jupiter has mass MJ=1.898×1027 kg and radius RJ=7.15×107 m, so GMJ/c2=1.41 m. Use order-of-magnitude reasoning (you may use the formulas already derived for Mercury, the Shapiro delay and the Einstein ring, without rederiving them) to estimate three effects associated with Jupiter.
((a)) Io orbits Jupiter with semi-major axis a=4.22×108 m, eccentricity e=0.0041 and period Torb=1.77 days. Estimate the general-relativistic perihelion (here perijove) advance of Io's orbit, in arcseconds per century.
((b)) A spacecraft signal is sent from Earth, grazing Jupiter's limb (b=RJ), to a probe a further 1.50×1011 m beyond Jupiter, with the Earth–Jupiter distance at the time r1=6.30×1011 m. Estimate the Shapiro time delay of the round trip.
((c)) Treat Jupiter as a point lens at distance DL=6.30×1011 m from Earth, with a background star far beyond it (DLS≈DS). Estimate the angular radius of the Einstein ring, and compare it with Jupiter's own angular radius as seen from Earth at that distance, commenting on whether the ring could actually be observed.