Varying Constants: Constraints from Seasonal Variations

Abstract

We analyse the constraints obtained from new atomic clock data on the possible time variation of the fine structure `constant' and the electron-proton mass ratio and show how they are strengthened when the seasonal variation of Sun's gravitational field at the Earth's surface is taken into account.

4 pages, 1 figure. Contribution to the proceedings of the Joint Discussion 9, XXVIIth IAU, General Assembly, Rio de Janeiro :"Are the fundamental constants varying with spacetime?"