Lunar Laser Ranging and the Brans-Dicke Theory

Abstract

Laser ranging to an optical corner reflector on the lunar surface may make possible a test of non-Newtonian gravitational theories. The results of a theoretical calculation of the Brans-Dicke corrections to the laser-pulse transit time are compared with results previously obtained for the Einstein theory. A further analysis of the measurable non-Newtonian correction term which dominates the predictions of both theories indicates that the term probably is common to all Lorentz-covariant gravitational theories.