Abstract
Observation catalogues of extragalactic radio sources obtained by Very long Baseline Interferometry during the last decade agree in the mean to a few milliarcseconds (mas). Within this range the position differences show constant, linear and periodic offsets. To reduce the influence of individual catalogue properties the construction of a compilation catalogue seems to be the appropriate procedure. In some detail the compilation method is described providing simultaneous adjustment of source positions and catalogue corrections. The compilation catalogue consists of 40 objects having positional errors of 0.2 mas in right ascension (RA) and 0.3 mas in declination (Dec). Comparing this catalogue with the IERS Celestial Reference Frame compiled by means of other precepts yields weighted root-mean-square differences of 0.7 mas in RA and 1.3 mas in Dec. Finally, the terms of general precession in RA and Dec are included in the adjustment process giving estimates of the correction to the luni-solar precession between −1 and −3 mas/yr, the latter figure applying when some early data are added.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andrei, A.H. and Elsmore, B.: 1991, A luni-solar precession and nutation constants analysis from radio astrometric observations, in: IAU Colloq. No. 127, Reference Systems, U.S. Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C., p. 197.
Fanselow, J.L., Sovers, O.J., Thomas, J.B., Purcell, G.H., Jr., Cohen, E.J., Skjerve, L.J., Spitzmesser, D.J.: 1984, Astron. J. 89, 987.
IAU: 1977, Transact. IAU, Vol. XVI B, D. Reidel Publ. Comp., Dordrecht, 58.
IERS: 1989, Source coordinates in the IERS Celestial Reference Frame, in: International Earth Rotation Service (IERS), Annual Report for 1988, p. U-34, Central Bureau of IERS, Observatoire de Paris.
Kaplan, G.H., Josties, F.J., Angerhofer, P.E., Johnston, K.J., Spencer, J.H.: 1982, Astron. J. 87, 570.
Ma, C.: 1988, Radio source positions from Mark III VLBI, Catalogue GSFC 8805, GLB 250, Goddard Space Flight Center, 4 pp.
Ma, C., Clark, T.A., Ryan, J.W., Herring, T.A., Shapiro, I.I., Corey, B.E., Hinteregger, H.F., Rogers, A.E.E., Whitney, A.R., Knight, C.A., Lundqvist, G.L., Shaffer, D.B., Vandenberg, N.R., Pigg, J.C., Schupler, B.R., Rönnäng, B.O.: 1986, Astron. J. 92, 1020.
Ma, C., Shaffer, D.B., de Vegt, C., Johnston, K.J., Russell, J.L.: 1990, Astron. J. 99, 1284.
Sovers, O.J.: 1990, An extragalactic reference frame from DSN VLBI measurements-1989, in: IAU Symposium No. 141, Inertial Coordinate Systems on the Sky, eds. J.H. Lieske and V.K. Abalakin, Kluwer Acad. Publ., Dordrecht, p. 261.
Sovers, O.J., Edwards, C.D.: 1988, Precession and long-term nutation from VLBI observations, in: Bureau International de l'Heure, Annual Report for 1987, Paris, D-109.
Sovers, O.J., Edwards, C.D., Jacobs, C.S., Lanyi, G.E., Liewer, K.M. and Treuhaft, R.N.: 1988, Astron. J. 95, 1647.
Sovers, O.J., Edwards, C.D., Jacobs, C.S., Lanyi, G.E. and Treuhaft, R.N.: 1989, The JPL 1989-3 Extragalactic Radio Source Catalog, IERS Tech. Note 2, p. 25–30, Observatoire de Paris.
Wade, C.M., Johnston, K.J.: 1977, Astron. J. 82, 791.
Walter, H.G.: 1990, Corrections to the luni-solar precession from radio positions of extragalactic objects, in: IAU Symposium No. 141, Inertial Coordinate Systems on the Sky, eds. J.H. Lieske and V.K. Abalakin, Kluwer Acad. Publ., Dordrecht, p. 285.
Williams, J.G., Newhall, X.X., Dickey, J.O.: 1991, Astron. Astrophys. 241, L9.
Zverev, M.S.: 1963, Fundamental Astrometry, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Technical Services, JPRS: R-2943-D, OTS: 63-11569, Washington, D.C.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Walter, H.G. Corrections to the luni-solar precession derived from a compilation catalogue of extragalactic radio sources. Celestial Mech Dyn Astr 53, 71–80 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00049362
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00049362