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Old 10-02-2010, 06:18 AM
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circumpolar (Matt)
and around we go

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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Quakers Hill, NSW
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ivan View Post
Does relativity effect the calculations? I feel it would be insignificant. Have I made some gross assumptions? Are the calculations correct? Appreciate your comments.
Relativity effects would be significant.
In order to sync the two clocks in this situation you must account for both General & Special Relativity. Time correction calcs must be done for the clock (pulse) information.

Because the satelite at L4 needed to be accelerated to get there, Special Relativity states that IT'S clock must have slowed down (relative to control clock on Earth) during that acceleration.

Because the satelite at L4 is now spatially located in a different (lesser)gravitational-well from where is started from (Earth), General Relativity states that IT'S clock must speed up (relative to control clock on Earth).

I'm unsure if your experiment would work and will give it some thought.
But, Both Special & General Relativity corrections must be applied.
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