Comment on `On the next-to-leading order gravitational spin(1)-spin(2) dynamics' by J. Steinhoff et al

Understand

In this comment we explain the discrepancy found between the results in arXiv:0712.1716v1 for the 3PN spin-spin potential and those previously derived in gr-qc/0604099.

• We point out that to compare one must include sub-leading lower order spin-orbit effects which contribute to the spin-spin potential once one transforms to the PN frame.
• When these effects are included the results in arXiv:0712.1716v1 do indeed reproduce those found in gr-qc/0604099.