The dominant-range perturbations of the lunar orbit are calculated in relativistic gravitational theory, the results being applicable to all metric theories of gravity (a class of theories which includes general relativity). By searching for the various effects calculated in this paper using lunar laser ranging, the several parametrized post-Newtonian coefficients of the metrical gravitational field can be determined, thus pointing toward specific relativistic, post-Newtonian theories of gravity and empirically ruling out other theories.

• Received 13 November 1972

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.7.2347