The Status and Future of the ICRF

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Abstract:

The International Celestial Reference Frame ICRF is currently defined by the radio positions of 212 extragalactic objects. Since its inception there have been two extensions to the ICRF. These extensions included revised positions of ICRF candidate and other sources, based on inclusion of additional observations, as well as positions of an additional 109 new sources. With continued applicable Very Long Baseline Interferometry VLBI observations and improvements in analysis a better realization of the ICRF is now possible and an even better realization is feasible in the foreseeable future. Planning for a second realization of the ICRF is currently underway with a projected completion date concurrent with the 2009 IAU General Assembly. Within the next decade, optical astrometric satellites will present serious competition to the radio-based ICRF. Reevaluation of the spectral regime at which the ICRF is defined will then be necessary.

Author(s):
Fey, A. L.
Author Organization(s):
NAVAL OBSERVATORY WASHINGTON DC
Descriptive Note:
Conference paper
Supplementary Note:
Pub. in the Proceedings of the "Journees 2005 Systemes de Reference Spatio-Temporels," Earth Dynamics and Reference Systems: Five Years after the Adoption of the IAU 2000 Resolutions, p3-8, Dec 2006. Presented at the Journees Systemes de Reference Spatio-Temporels conference held in Warsaw, Poland, on 19-21 Sep 2005.
Pagination:
0007

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
NOBS
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange; JCA_1.2.7_Experimentation; JCA_6.4_Information Assurance; JCA_4.3_Maintain; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_6.2.3_Core Enterprise Services; JCA_8_Building Partnerships
Modernization Areas:
Space
Communities of Interest:
No COI(s) Identified
Descriptor(s):
*SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION, *POSITION(LOCATION), *DETECTION, *COORDINATES, *RADIO INTERFEROMETRY, *RADIO SOURCES(ASTRONOMY), STABILITY, SYMPOSIA, SPACE MISSIONS, GEODETIC ASTRONOMY, ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORIES, OBSERVATION, TIME SERIES ANALYSIS, ACCURACY, ESTIMATES, OPTICAL INTERFEROMETERS
Field(s)/Group(s):
Astronomy, Navigation and Guidance, Radiofrequency Wave Propagation
Keyword(s):
ICRF(INTERNATIONAL CELESTIAL REFERENCE FRAME), INTERGALACTIC RADIO SOURCES, SKY DISTRIBUTION, ASTROMETRY, ASTROMETRIC POSITION ESTIMATION, STABILITY ANALYSIS, IVS(INTERNATIONAL VLBI SERVICE), NASA(NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION), EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
Report Date:
2006 Dec 01
Creation Date:
2007 Jun 13