Space-time reference systems Michael Soffel, Ralf Langhans

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Soffel, Michael H., 1953-

Contributor:

Langhans, Ralf

Series:

Astronomy and astrophysics library

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Geodetic astronomy.

Space and time.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Heidelberg New York Springer ©2013

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The high accuracy of modern astronomical spatial-temporal reference systems has made them considerably complex. This book offers a comprehensive overview of such systems. It begins with a discussion of 'The Problem of Time', including recent developments in the art of clock making (e.g., optical clocks) and various time scales. The authors address the definitions and realization of spatial coordinates by reference to remote celestial objects such as quasars. After an extensive treatment of classical equinox-based coordinates, new paradigms for setting up a celestial reference system are introduced that no longer refer to the translational and rotational motion of the Earth. The role of relativity in the definition and realization of such systems is clarified. The topics presented in this book are complemented by exercises (with solutions). The authors offer a series of files, written in Maple, a standard computer algebra system, to help readers get a feel for the various models and orders of magnitude. Beyond astrometry, the main fields of application of high-precision astronomical spatial-temporal reference systems and frames are navigation (GPS, interplanetary spacecraft navigation) and global geodynamics, which provide a high-precision Celestial Reference System and its link to any terrestrial spatial-temporal reference system. Mankind's urgent environmental questions can only be answered in the context of appropriate reference systems in which both aspects, space and time, are realized with a sufficiently high level of accuracy. This book addresses all those interested in high-precision reference systems and the various techniques (GPS, Very Long Baseline Interferometry, Satellite Laser Ranging, Lunar Laser Ranging) necessary for their realization, including the production and dissemination of time signals

Contents:

List of Symbols

Preface

1 Introduction

2 Time

3 Space-Time

4 Barycentric Dynamical Reference System

5 Classical Astronomical Coordinates

6 Astrometry

7 Celestial Reference System

8 Terrestrial Reference System

9 From the GCRS to the ITRS

10 Astronomical Software

Yearbooks

11 Astronomical constants

References

List of acronyms

Appendix A: Solutions to Exercises

Appendix B: Description of the AstroRef Package

Index 304

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index

Online resource; title from digital title page (viewed November 30, 2012)

Print version record

Other Format:

Print version Soffel, Michael H., 1953- Space-time reference systems

ISBN:

9783642302268

3642302262

9783642302251

3642302254

OCLC:

819816603

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license