National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Location
Pasadena, CA | United States
Job description
Description
Accurate ranges are measured from observatories on the Earth to four retroreflector arrays on the Moon. Fit with an rms scatter of 2 cm, these ranges are sensitive to the lunar orbit and physical librations, the positions of the retroreflectors and observatories, and the Earth's rotation. A comparison of the range data to model calculations yields solutions for a number of physical parameters of interest to lunar science (including origin, evolution, and history of the Moon), gravitational physics (the nature of gravity), geophysics, and geodesy. Recent results include measurement of solid-body tides on the Moon, detection of a fluid lunar core, a test of the equivalence principle, and a limit on rate of change of G. Opportunities exist to improve theories, models, and computational techniques, and many of these approaches can be adapted to other satellites.
Williams, J. G., Boggs, D. H., Yoder, C. F., Ratcliff, J. T., and Dickey, J. O., “Lunar rotational dissipation in solid body and molten core,” J. Geophys. Res., vol. 106, 27933-27968, 2001.
Williams, J. G., S. G. Turyshev, and D. H. Boggs, “Progress in lunar laser ranging tests of relativistic gravity,” Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 93, 261101, 2004. [arXiv:gr-qc/0411113]
Location:Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: .
Eligibility is currently open to:
Eligibility Requirements
Job tags
Salary
