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arXiv:0710.0890astro-ph

APOLLO: the Apache Point Observatory Lunar Laser-ranging Operation: Instrument Description and First Detections

T. W. Murphy,, E. G. Adelberger, J. B. R. Battat, L. N. Carey, C. D. Hoyle, P. LeBlanc, E. L. Michelsen, K. Nordtvedt, A. E. Orin, J. D. Strasburg, C. W. Stubbs, H. E. Swanson, E. Williams

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Abstract

A next-generation lunar laser ranging apparatus using the 3.5 m telescope at the Apache Point Observatory in southern New Mexico has begun science operation. APOLLO (the Apache Point Observatory Lunar Laser-ranging Operation) has achieved one-millimeter range precision to the moon which should lead to approximately one-order-of-magnitude improvements in the precision of several tests of fundamental properties of gravity. We briefly motivate the scientific goals, and then give a detailed discussion of the APOLLO instrumentation.

arXiv comments
37 pages; 10 figures; 1 table: accepted for publication in PASP
Journal reference
Publ.Astron.Soc.Pac.120:20-37,2008
DOI
doi:10.1086/526428
Subjects
astro-phAstrophysics gr-qcGeneral Relativity and Quantum Cosmology

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  1. Can you see the flag on the Moon with a telescope? 1 comment

    • This is relevant. http://arxiv.org/pdf/0710.0890v2 The gist of the story is: Use a large telescope to not only increase your collecting area, but focus your beam onto that surface: turn that measly 1 milliradian divergence laser into a 1 microradian divergence laser.

      harshpotatoesView on HNParent context

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