Astrometric Observations of Cassini with the VLBA: The First Eight Epochs

Details Astrometric Observations of Cassini with the VLBA: The First Eight Epochs Astrometric Observations of Cassini with the VLBA: The First Eight Epochs

Jan 2010

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010aas...21544813j&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #215, #448.13; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 42, p.456

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

1

Scientific paper

We have used the VLBA at eight epochs since 2006 to make astrometric observations of the Cassini spacecraft in orbit about Saturn. Phase-referenced VLBA measurements of the position of Cassini with respect to the IRCF, combined with accurate Cassini orbit solutions by JPL, allow us to determine the absolute position of Saturn at each epoch. These accurate positions of Saturn will improve the tie between the outer and inner planet ephemerides. One of the limiting sources of error is the uncertainty of our phase reference source positions in the ICRF grid, and we are using special VLBA observations to tie these sources closer to the ICRF grid. We plan to continue this program through 2012, when we will have covered more than 1/4 of Saturn's orbital period. By that point the uncertainly in latitude (the inclination of Saturn's orbit) will be reduced by at least a factor of two compared to the current planetary ephemeris. Future observations of this type during the Juno mission will enable Jupiter's ephemeris to be improved as well. Part of this research has been carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The VLBA is a facility of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, which is operated by Associated Universities, Inc., under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Astrometric Observations of Cassini with the VLBA: The First Eight Epochs does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Astrometric Observations of Cassini with the VLBA: The First Eight Epochs, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Astrometric Observations of Cassini with the VLBA: The First Eight Epochs will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-969415