The VLBI System's Unfinished Business

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Scientific Paper
Title The VLBI System\'s Unfinished Business
Author(s) Thomas E Phipps
Keywords {{{keywords}}}
Published 2010
Journal Physics Essays

Abstract

There are numerous theories of stellar aberration. All agree on Bradley aberration, which describes the phenomenon to first order in , where is the Earth?s orbital speed. Here three exemplary theories are considered and shown to differ at second order ( ). The Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) system claims accuracy adequate to measure small angles of this size and thus to provide an empirical resolution. In particular, Einstein?s formula of 1905 might be confirmed to order ? something that has never been achieved, or apparently even attempted.