ICRF-3: Current Status and Interaction with the Terrestrial Reference Frame
Abstract
The release of the next realisation of the International Celestial Reference Frame, ICRF-3, is envisaged for 2018 with significant improvements in precision as well as spatial and frequency coverage compared to ICRF-2. After a general outline of the goals and workings towards ICRF-3, the presentation will focus on observation strategies and plans aimed at substantial increase of observations of southern and VCS ICRF-2 sources, as well as new prospective defining sources to enhance ICRF in the Southern hemisphere in the first place. Those improvements heavily rely on the AuScope network in Australia, Warkworth in New Zealand, Hartebeesthoek in South Africa, and other upcoming stations in South America. We will also discuss the combination techniques of VLBI catalogues and the implications of a combined solution with other space geodetic techniques on the consistency between celestial and terrestrial reference frame as well as Earth orientation parameters. Finally, work has already been started to relate the radio to the optical catalogue which will become available from the Gaia mission by the end of this decade.
- Publication:
-
EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014EGUGA..16.3355B