Relativistic Gravity tn the Solar System. 111. Experimental Disproof of a Class of Linear Theories of Gravitation

Abstract

We analyze a class of "linear" metric theories of gravitation, and show using the Parametrized Post-Newtonian formalism that they are unviable: they predict that our Galaxy should induce anisotropies in the Newtonian gravitational constant G which lead to solid-Earth tides more than 20 times larger than gravimeter measurements permit. Among the theories ruled out are those devised by Deser and Laurent and by Bollini, Giambiagi, and Tiomno.