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

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2008 · Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 120(863):20-37

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/526428· OSTI ID:924665

Murphy, TW; Adelberger, Eric G; Battat, J; Carey, LN; Hoyle, Charles D; LeBlanc, P; Michelsen, EL; Nordtvedt, K; Orin, AE; Strasburg, Jana D; Stubbs, CW; Swanson, HE; Williams, E

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 aproximately one-orderof-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.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 924665
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-56502; PASPAU; NN2001000; TRN: US0802925
• Journal Information: Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 120(863):20-37, Vol. 120, Issue 863; ISSN 0004-6280
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
ACCURACY
ISOCHRONOUS CYCLOTRONS
LASERS
MOON
TELESCOPES