Gravitoelectromagnetism

Summary

Gravitoelectromagnetism is a formulation of weak-field general relativity for slowly moving matter. It splits the gravitational field into a gravitoelectric field and a gravitomagnetic field. These fields obey equations of the same shape as Maxwell's equations. Mass density takes the place of charge density, and mass current that of electric current. The gravitoelectric field is the Newtonian gravitational field, while the gravitomagnetic field is produced by moving or rotating masses. It gives a simple picture of frame-dragging effects near rotating bodies.