Re: Eotvos.

>>>>> "A gyroscope in
>>>>> obit will not change the orientation of its axis to
>>>>> prove that space is curved. It will remain fixed
>>>>> at what ever it is pointed at."

>>> It will if its orbit is non-circular. As Mercury's orbit is
>>> non-circular.
>>
>> We are talking about a satellite orbiting the earth.
>
> You can have non-circular orbits around Earth.

So you can.


I really don?t know why you bothered pointing that out.



If a gyroscope remains fixed in a circular orbit but undergoes precession in
an elliptic orbit, then I should imagine it would be fair to say it is not
actually the curvature of space which is actually causing the precession.



As with the precession of Mercury, this must be caused by some quality
present in the elliptic orbit which is not present in a circular orbit.



For starters we can say the velocity is not constant in an elliptic orbit:
As a particle in an elliptic orbit spends half its time speeding up and the
other half of its time slowing down.



I should also image it would be fair to say that the curvature in an
elliptic orbit is not constant.



Where as the curvature in a circular orbit remains constant throughout.



In consideration I think the variation in the curvature of its path might
have more to do with causing the precession.


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Eotvos.
    ... >>> In a circular orbit there is no precession due to curvature. ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)
  • Scale of Curvature
    ... Scale of Curvature ... The relativistic precession rate of two co-orbiting bodies is ... As orbit velocity increases, the curvature of energy at the quantum ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)
  • Re: Eotvos.
    ... Frame dragging is quite separate to the curvature of space. ... > A non-circular orbit will change the orientation of a gyroscope, ... >> undergoes precession in an elliptic orbit, ... >> caused by some quality present in the elliptic orbit ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)
  • Re: Eotvos.
    ... orbit, said gyroscope will also have its orientation changed. ... > curvature of space which is actually ... > caused by some quality present in the elliptic orbit ... > which is not present in a circular orbit. ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)
  • Re: Eotvos.
    ... > If a gyroscope remains fixed in a circular orbit but undergoes precession ... > not actually the curvature of space which is actually causing the ... > present in the elliptic orbit which is not present in a circular orbit. ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)