Frontiers in Relativistic Celestial Mechanics: New tools for determining the light travel time in static, spherically symmetric spacetimes beyond the order G2

Book excerpt: Relativistic celestial mechanics - investigating the motion celestial bodies in general relativity - is a major tool of modern experimental gravitational physics. With a wide range of prominent authors from the field, this two-volume series consists of reviews on a multitude of advanced topics in the area of relativistic celestial mechanics which cover a wide range of topics from more canonical - such as equations of motion of N-body system in asymptotically-flat spacetime, light propagation and celestial ephemerides - to progressive interdisciplinary studies in gravitational wave astronomy, cosmology and alternative theories of gravity as well as modern experiments for testing general theory of relativity. Volume 1 is concerned with theoretical foundations such as post-Newtonian solutions to the two-body problem, light propagation through time-dependent gravitational fields, as well as cosmological effects on the movements of bodies in various astrophysical systems. Volume 2 covers applications of the theory as well as experimental verifications. From tools to determine light travel times in curved space-time to laser ranging between earth and moon and between satellites, and impacts on the definition of time scales and clock comparison techniques, a variety of effects is discussed. On the occasion of his 80th birthday, these two volumes honor V.A. Brumberg - one of the pioneers in modern relativistic celestial mechanics.