Exploring Gravitational Waves with Earth-Lunar Orbital Perturbations

In summary, the article discusses how the authors of a recent paper propose using the Earth/Moon system to measure gravitational waves, and how this system has the advantage of being already in place. They also mention that the race to find these waves may not be as cut and dry as it first seems, as there are other potential detectors that could provide better data.
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Hello,
This article caught my attention recently and I have several questions on the subject that I'd like to get opinions on.
Before going further, I realize a technical discussion is way past the "I" tags range. Please adjust as necessary and thank you in advance.

My attention was originally drawn by the concept of using the Lunar/Earth system and its Orbit perturbations, as measured by the distance between the two bodies.
I was surprised to see that the distance is accurately determined to within several Millimeters and the papers linked say that will be close enough to detect Gravity waves in the micro-hertz range, the same as produced by Supermassive Black Holes in the later stages of merging, thus filling a current blind spot in the Spectrum.
First, the article in question.
https://physics.aps.org/articles/v15/34
Abstracts of above.
https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.128.101103
https://journals.aps.org/prd/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevD.105.064021
https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.128.101103
It's at this point that I notice the Space based GW detector programs are also very keen on tapping into the same frequency bands, looking a little competitive in fact.
This brings up my first question, who is most likely going to win the race and claim the credit? the Earth-Lunar orbital perturbation approach with the detector apparatus pretty much in place, or the Space based observatories. (LISA, TianQin and Taiji) While one approach is waiting on R&D as well as a launch date of approximately 2034, the other approach has the system in place but needs to develop the Maths and details.
the authors of this Abstract have a good idea in using their Observatories as a network.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2006.05670v4
These authors take that idea one step further, a good idea, only better.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-021-01480-3
Do any of these concepts have an advantage over the others in terms of sensitivity, signal to noise or other issues that come to mind, also, which of these systems would likely have the longest baseline ?
The most obvious advantage I can see is, well you don't need to launch the moon and we're already on the other end of that detector.
These questions may already be moot, this approach could beat the others with a little luck. (and a lot more data and filtering)
https://uwm.edu/physics/nanograv-finds-first-hints-of-low-frequency-gravitational-wave-background/
Thanks, Scott
Update, 4/7
https://www.science.org/content/article/astronomers-find-new-way-detect-gravitational-waves
 
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-using-moonThis new article answers some of my questions, it looks like the Earth/Moon system has a good chance of beating the space based observatories to the punch. Though it would still be interesting to see if one or more of the other approaches could provide an additional layer of data.
 

FAQ: Exploring Gravitational Waves with Earth-Lunar Orbital Perturbations

1. What are gravitational waves?

Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space-time caused by the acceleration of massive objects. They were first predicted by Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity and were recently observed for the first time in 2015.

2. How are gravitational waves detected?

Gravitational waves are detected using highly sensitive instruments called interferometers. These instruments use laser beams to measure tiny changes in the distance between two points caused by passing gravitational waves.

3. What role do Earth-Lunar orbital perturbations play in exploring gravitational waves?

Earth-Lunar orbital perturbations refer to the small changes in the orbit of the Moon around the Earth caused by the gravitational pull of other objects, such as the Sun and planets. By studying these perturbations, scientists can gain a better understanding of the effects of gravity and potentially detect gravitational waves.

4. How can exploring gravitational waves with Earth-Lunar orbital perturbations benefit us?

Studying gravitational waves can help us better understand the universe and the laws of physics. It can also provide insights into the behavior of massive objects, such as black holes and neutron stars, and potentially lead to new technologies and advancements in space exploration.

5. Are there any current missions or experiments exploring gravitational waves with Earth-Lunar orbital perturbations?

Yes, there are several ongoing missions and experiments dedicated to exploring gravitational waves with Earth-Lunar orbital perturbations. These include the Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the Lunar Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory. These missions are helping scientists gather data and improve our understanding of gravitational waves.

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