Question: Is there an absolute frame of reference that is superior to other reference frames?
Discussion:
Inertial reference frame: An inertial reference frame is one in which neither rotational (centrifugal forces) nor acceleration forces can be measured. Inertial reference frames may be moving at constant velocity with respect to other inertial reference frames, but inertial reference frames may not be in rotation with respect to any another inertial reference frame.
Rotational reference frame: Unlike inertial reference frames (which are relative and depend on selected reference frame), rotational reference is not relational, it is absolute.[3] There is only one rotational reference frame in any inertial reference frame in which centrifrugal forces are measured as zero ("at rotational rest"). [1] All inertial reference frames are also believed to be "at rotational rest" with respect to all other inertial reference frames[2].
Universal rotational frame of reference: Because all inertial reference frames are believed to be "at rotational rest" with respect to all other inertial reference frames, there appears therefore, to be only a single universal rotational frame of reference, that all inertial reference frames are also at rotational rest with.
Universal inertial reference frame: It is unknown if any inertial reference frame is superior to all other inertial reference frames. However, one reference frame can be defined as at rest (inertial and rotationally) with the center of the universe, and this would be the most likely candidate for a possible universal inertial reference frame.
Conclusion: All inertial reference frames appear to be equally valid reference frames (as the special theory of relativity teaches), including the inertial reference frame that is at rest with respect to the center of our universe. However, all inertial reference frames are rotationally related, in that rotation is absolute[3] and to the best of our understanding, no (non-accelerating, non-rotating) inertial reference frame is in rotation with respect to any other (non-accelerating, non-rotating) reference frame[2]. Therefore, unlike inertial reference frames, there does appear to exist a single universal absolute rotational frame of reference where centrifugal forces are measured as zero.
[1] Robert Disalle (I. Bernard Cohen & George E. Smith, editors) (2002). The Cambridge Companion to Newton. Cambridge University Press. p. 43. ISBN 0521656966. "Isaac Newton's rotating bucket argument (also known as "Newton's bucket") was designed to demonstrate that true rotational motion cannot be defined as the relative rotation of the body with respect to the immediately surrounding bodies."
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelson%E2%80%93Gale%E2%80%93Pearson_experiment
According to Michelson/Gale, the experiment is compatible with both the idea of a stationary ether and special relativity. ... rotation is absolute in special relativity...
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_rotation
Sagnac experiment and later similar experiments showed that a stationary object on the surface of the Earth will rotate once every rotation of the Earth when using stars as a stationary reference point. Rotation was thus concluded to be absolute rather than relative.