Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Aug 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006iaujd..16e...3k&link_type=abstract
Nomenclature, Precession and New Models in Fundamental Astronomy, 26th meeting of the IAU, Joint Discussion 16, 22-23 August 200
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
The resolutions on positional astronomy adopted at the 1997 and 2000 IAU General Assemblies are far-reaching in scope, affecting both the details of various computations and the basic concepts upon which they are built. For many scientists and engineers, applying these recommendations to practical problems is thus doubly challenging. Because the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) serves a broad base of users, we have provided two different tools to aid in implementing the resolutions, both of which are intended for the person who is knowledgeable but not necessarily expert in positional astronomy. These tools complement the new material that has been added to The Astronomical Almanac (see paper by Hohenkerk). USNO Circular 179 is a 118-page book that introduces the resolutions to non-specialists. It includes extensive narratives describing the basic concepts as well as compilations of the equations necessary to apply the recommendations. The resolutions have been logically grouped into six main chapters. The Circular is available as a hard-cover book or as a PDF file that can be downloaded from either the USNO/AA web site (http://aa.usno.navy.mil/) or arXiv.org. NOVAS (Naval Observatory Vector Astrometry Subroutines) is a source-code library available in both Fortran and C. It is a long established package with a wide user base that has recently been extensively revised (in version 3.0) to implement the recent IAU resolutions. However, use of NOVAS does not require detailed knowledge of the resolutions, since commonly requested high-level data _ for example, topocentric positions of stars or planets _ are provided in a single call. NOVAS can be downloaded from the USNO/AA web site. Both Circular 179 and NOVAS version 3.0 anticipate IAU adoption of the recommendations of the 2003-2006 working groups on precession and nomenclature.
Bangert John A.
Kaplan George H.
No associations
LandOfFree
Tools for Implementing the Recent IAU Resolutions: USNO Circular 179 and the NOVAS Software Package 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 Tools for Implementing the Recent IAU Resolutions: USNO Circular 179 and the NOVAS Software Package, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tools for Implementing the Recent IAU Resolutions: USNO Circular 179 and the NOVAS Software Package will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1624795