Re: [Phys-l] Inertial frame of reference

[John Mallinckrodt <ajm@csupomona.edu>]

On Jul 29, 2009, at 10:03 AM, Brian Whatcott wrote:

> Here's an operational definition ...
>
> For space-born applications: substitute two optical tracking  
> telescopes
> whose axes are not collinear [ or - reasonably orthogonal] for the  
> three
> rotation sensors. The telescopes need to fix any star on their
> respective optical axis for the time period of interest.

Hmm.  Again, I don't see how one can use the idea of fixed stars in  
any practical scheme to determine the inertial nature of a platform.   
This scheme won't do anything but sense rotation.

John Mallinckrodt
Cal Poly Pomona