Covariance and invariance

[mjda]

Can anyone briefly explain the difference between covariance and invariance in terms of special relativity?

My understanding is that an invariant quantity is a value which does not change regardless of frame of reference it is being measured in.

Covariance is a value which when measured in different frames of reference can be deduced by accounting for the transformation properties between the different frames?

 

[anorlunda]

You are correct about invariant.

Wikipedia has a pretty good article about covariance/contravariance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covariance_and_contravariance_of_vectors

Edit: This article also has relevance to SR.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorentz_covariance