Influence of Ephemeris Uncertainties and Relativity Modeling on Lunar Laser Ranging Data Analysis

Abstract

In this paper authors pointed out that the root mean square of post-residual is two or three times larger than that of normal points. It is mainly due to the ephemeris uncertainties, i.e. the uncertainties of obliquity of the ecliptic and equinox and the inaccurary of lunar love numbers adopted. At present, with exception of the corrections of ocean tide and pole tide the theoretical modeling such as earth solid tide, lunar tide, plate motion and the relativity modeling, especially the space curvature caused by the earth, have been considered to match the present observing precision in the magnitude of centimeter. The equivalent of relativity modeling used in geocentric or barycentric reference frame is further described.