Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T03:11:58.948Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Numerical Data-Processing Simulations of Microarcsecond Classical and Relativistic Effects in Space Astrometry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2016

Sergei M. Kopeikin ,
N.V. Shuygina ,
M.V. Vasilyev ,
E.I. Yagudina  and
L.I. Yagudin
Sergei M. Kopeikin
Affiliation:
Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Missouri-Columbia, 223 Physics Building, Columbia, MO65211, USA
N.V. Shuygina
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Astronomy, RAS, 10, Kutuzov quay, 191187, St. Petersburg, Russia
M.V. Vasilyev
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Astronomy, RAS, 10, Kutuzov quay, 191187, St. Petersburg, Russia
E.I. Yagudina
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Astronomy, RAS, 10, Kutuzov quay, 191187, St. Petersburg, Russia
L.I. Yagudin
Affiliation:
Pulkovo Observatory, St. Petersburg, Russia

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The accuracy of astrometric observations conducted via a space-borne optical interferometer orbiting the Earth is expected to approach a few microarcseconds. Data processing of such extremely high-precision measurements requires access to a rigorous relativistic model of light ray propagation developed in the framework of General Relativity. The data-processing of the space interferometric observations must rely upon the theory of general-relativistic transformations between the spacecraft, geocentric, and solar barycentric reference systems allowing unique and unambiguous interpretation of the stellar aberration and parallax effects. On the other hand, the algorithm must also include physically adequate treatment of the relativistic effect of light deflection caused by the spherically-symmetric (monopole-dependent) part of the gravitational field of the Sun and planets as well as the quadrupole- and spin-dependent counterparts of it. In some particular cases the gravitomagnetic field induced by the translational motion of the Sun and planets should be also taken into account for unambigious prediction of the light-ray deflection angle. In the present paper we describe the corresponding software program to take into account all classical (proper motion, parallax, etc.) and relativistic (aberration, deflection of light) effects up to the microarcsecond threshold and demonstrate, using numerical simulations, how observations of stars and/or quasars conducted on board a space optical interferometer orbiting the Earth can be processed and disentangled. For numerical simulations the spacecraft orbital parameters and the telescope optical-system-characteristics have been taken to be similar to those in the Hipparcos mission. The performed numerical data analysis verifies that the relativistic algorithm chosen for data processing is convergent and can be used in practice to determine astronomical coordinates and proper motions of stars (quasars) with the required microarcsecond precision. Results shown in the paper have been obtained with a rather small number of stars (a few thousand). Simulations based on a much larger number of stars, e.g., from the Guide Star Catalogue used to model original observations will give more complete information about potential abilities of the space astrometric missions.

Type
Section 3. Relativistic Considerations
Information
International Astronomical Union Colloquium , Volume 180: Towards Models and Constants for Sub-Microarcsecond Astrometry , March 2000 , pp. 320 - 326
Copyright
Copyright © US Naval Observatory 2000

References

Brumberg, V.A., Klioner, S.A. & Kopeikin, S.M., 1990, “Relativistic reductions of astrometric observations at POINTS level of accuracy,” In: Inertial coordinate system on the sky, Lieske, J. and Abalakin, V.K. Eds., Proc. of the the IAU Symp. 141, Dordrecht: Kluwer, 229–240.Google Scholar
Chandler, J.F. & Reasenberg, R.D., 1990, “POINTS: a global reference frame opportunity,” In: Inertial coordinate system on the sky, Lieske, J. and Abalakin, V.K. Eds. (Kluwer: Dordrecht), the IAU Symposium 141, 217–228.Google Scholar
Danner, R. & Unwin, S. (eds.), 1999, “SIM — Space Interferometry Mission: Taking the Measure of the Universe,” JPL-NASA.Google Scholar
de Felice, F., Lattanzi, M.G., Vecchiato, A. & Bernacca, P.L., 1998, “General relativistic satellite astrometry. I. A non-perturbative approach to data reduction,” Astron. Astrophys., 332, 1133–1141.Google Scholar
Johnston, K., 2000, “Space Missions — FAME,” these proceedings.Google Scholar
Klioner, S.A., 2000, “Possible Relativistic Definitions of Parallax, Proper Motion and Radial Velocity,” these proceedings.Google Scholar
Klioner, S.A. & Kopeikin, S.M., 1992, “Microarcsecond astrometry in space: relativistic effects and reduction of observations,” Astron. J., 104, 897–914.Google Scholar
Kopeikin, S.M., 1988, “Celestial coordinate reference systems in curved space-time,” Celest. Mech., 44, 87–115.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kopeikin, S.M., 1991, “Relativistic manifestations of gravitational fields in gravimetry and geodesy,” Manuscripta Geodaetica, 16, 301–312.Google Scholar
Kopeikin, S.M., 1997, “Propagation of light in the stationary field of multipole gravitational lens,” J. Math. Phys., 38, 2587–2601.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kopeikin, S.M. & Schäfer, G., 1999, “Lorentz covariant theory of light propagation in gravitational fields of arbitrary-moving bodies,” Phys. Rev. D, 60, 124002.Google Scholar
Kovalevsky, J., 2000, “Celestial Reference Systems — An Overview,” these proceedings.Google Scholar
Krasinsky, G.A. & Vasilyev, M.V., 1996, “ERA: knowledge base for ephemeris and dynamical astronomy,” In: Dynamics and astrometry of natural and artificial celestial bodies, Wytrzyszczak, I.M., Lieske, J.H., and Feldman, R.A. Eds., Proc. of the IAU Coll. 165, Dordrecht: Kluwer, 239.Google Scholar
Mignard, F., 2000, “Space astrometry with GAIA,” these proceedings.Google Scholar
Requieme, Y., 1985, “HIPPARCOS - Preparation of the mission: Earth-based astrometry,” In: Highlights of Astronomy. Vol. 7, Proc. of the 19th IAU General Assembly, Dordrecht: Reidel, 695–697.Google Scholar
Soffel, M., 2000, “Report of the working group ‘Relativity for Celestial Mechanics and Astrometry’,” these proceedings.Google Scholar