On derivation of EIH (Einstein–Infeld–Hoffman) equations of motion from the linearized metric of general relativity theory

Victor Brumberg

Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy, 99(3), 245-252 (2007)

Keywords: General relativity, Variational principle, Linearized metric, Post-Newtonian celestial mechanics and astrometry, Equations of motion

Abstract

The half-century old idea of Infeld to use the variational principle of the general relativity field equations is reminded to show that the commonly employed EIH (Einstein–Infeld–Hoffman) equations of motion may be derived from the linearized (weak-field) metric alone. Based on it, the linearized metric might be sufficient for post-Newtonian celestial mechanics and astrometry enabling one to derive the post-Newtonian equations of motion and rotation of celestial bodies as well as the post-Newtonian equations of light propagation within the general relativity framework.