To make GSC-II more accurate and useful, it is necessary to re-calibrate GSC-II when a better reference catalogue (UCAC2) is available. With UCAC2 as the reference, preliminary re-calibration of some sample plates from GSC2.3 were carried out with different methods, such as Global, Mask and Filter. The results indicate that a 7th-order polynomial is sufficient to account for the influence of Schmidt plate deformation on the measured coordinates of stars. The magnitude equation can be eliminated after correcting for a common magnitude equation. The RMS of the re-calibrated data is around ±0.2~0.3 arcsec.

The ICRF derived from VLBI observations of extragalactic radio sources up to 1995.6 and effective since 1998.0 was a radical change from the FK5 stellar/equinox celestial system. Since then the number of geodetic/astrometric VLBI observations has tripled and the number of radio sources with astrometrically useful data has quadrupled. These data along with advances in modeling and estimation will be used to generate the next ICRF realization in the microwave band. Analysis of source position time series and source structure evolution will be used to select better “defining” sources. Working groups have been established by the IAU, IERS and IVS with the goal of presenting the second realization of the ICRF at the IAU General Assembly in 2009.

The intrinsic radio structure of the extragalactic sources is one of the limiting factors in defining the International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF). This paper reports about the ongoing work to monitor the structural evolution of the ICRF sources by using the Very Long Baseline Array and other VLBI telescopes around the world. Based on more than 5000 VLBI images produced from such observations, we have assessed the astrometric suitability of 80% of the ICRF sources. The number of VLBI images for a given source varies from 1 for the least-observed sources to more than 20 for the intensively-observed sources. Overall, we identify a subset of 194 sources that are highly compact at any of the available epochs and which are prime candidates for the realization of the next ICRF with the highest accuracy.

Accurate alignment of the radio and optical celestial reference frames requires detailed understanding of physical factors that may cause offsets between the positions of the same object measured in different spectral bands. Opacity in compact extragalactic jets (due to synchrotron self-absorption and external free-free absorption) is one of the key physical phenomena producing such an offset, and this effect is well-known in radio astronomy (“core shift”). We have measured the core shifts in a sample of 29 bright compact extragalactic radio sources observed by Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) at 2.3 and 8.6 GHz. We report the results of these measurements and estimate that the average shift between radio and optical positions of distant quasars could be of the order of 0.1--0.2 mas. This shift exceeds the expected positional accuracy of Gaia and SIM. We suggest two possible approaches to carefully investigate and correct for this effect in order to align accurately the radio and optical positions. Both approaches involve determining a Primary Reference Sample of objects to be used for tying the radio and optical reference frames together.

We report on the first global high-precision (differential phase-delay) astrometric analyses performed on a complete set of radio sources. We have observed the S5 polar cap sample, consisting of 13 quasars and BL Lac objects, with the VLBA at 8.4, 15, and 43 GHz. We have developed new algorithms to enable the use of the differential phase-delay observable in global astrometric observations. From our global analyses, we determine the relative positions between all pairs of sources with typical precisions ranging from 10 to 200 μas, depending on observing frequency and source separation. In this paper, we discuss the impact of this observable in the enhancement of the astrometric precision. Since a large fraction of the S5 polar cap sources are ICRF defining sources, this may result in a test of the ICRF stability. Our multi-epoch/multi-frequency approach will also provide both absolute kinematics and spectral information of all sources in the sample. In turn, this will provide an important check on key predictions of the standard jet interaction model.

The interplay between modern astrometry and gravitational physics is very important for the progress in both these fields. Below some threshold of accuracy, Newtonian physics fails to describe observational data and the Einstein's relativity theory must be used to model the data adequately. Many high-accuracy astronomical techniques have already passed this threshold. Moreover, modern astronomical observations cannot be adequately modeled if relativistic effects are considered as small corrections to Newtonian models. The whole way of thinking must be made compatible with relativity: this starts with the concepts of time, space and reference systems.

An overview of the standard general-relativistic framework for modeling of high-accuracy astronomical observations is given. Using this framework one can construct a standard set of building blocks for relativistic models. A suitable combination of these building blocks can be used to formulate a model for any given type of astronomical observations. As an example the problem of four dimensional solar system ephemerides is exposed in more detail. The limits of the present relativistic formulation are also briefly summarized.

On the other hand, high-accuracy astronomical observations play important role for gravitational physics itself, providing the latter with crucial observational tests. Perspectives for these astronomical tests for the next 15 years are summarized.

The ESA astrometric mission Gaia, due for launch in late 2011, will observe a very large number of asteroids (~ 350,000 down to the magnitude 20), most from the main belt, with an unprecedented positional precision (at the sub-milliarcsecond level). Such high-precision astrometry will enable to considerably improve the orbits of a large number of objects, and also to determine the masses of the largest asteroids by analyzing their gravitational pull during close encounters with smaller ones. A global solution involving simultaneously all the perturbers and the smaller targets should yield about hundred masses with a precision better than 30 percent. The knowledge of these masses will be a rich source of information on the physics of main-belt asteroids and will increase the accuracy of modern solar system ephemerides. We outline the principle of the mathematical method based on variational equations developed to solve for the orbital parameters and the masses of the largest bodies. Calculations have been performed by taking into account realistic simulation of the Gaia observations such as geometry, time sequence, magnitude and by considering possible close approaches among 350,000 asteroids. We give a list of asteroids whose mass can be estimated along with its formal precision.

The transformation between the International Terrestrial Reference System (ITRS) and the Geocentric Celestial Reference system (GCRS) is an essential part of the models to be used when dealing with Earth's rotation or when computing directions of celestial objects in various systems. The 2000 and 2006 IAU resolutions on reference systems have modified the way the Earth orientation is expressed and adopted high accuracy models for expressing the relevant quantities for the transformation from terrestrial to celestial systems. First, the IAU 2000 Resolutions have refined the definition of the astronomical reference systems and transformations between them and adopted the IAU 2000 precession-nutation. Then, the IAU 2006 Resolutions have adopted a new precession model that is consistent with dynamical theories and have addressed definition, terminology or orientation issues relative to reference systems and time scales that needed to be specified after the adoption of the IAU 2000 resolutions. These in particular provide a refined definition of the pole (the Celestial intermediate pole, CIP) and the origin (the Celestial intermediate origin, CIO) on the CIP equator as well as a rigorous definition of sidereal rotation of the Earth. These also allow an accurate realization of the celestial intermediate system linked to the CIP and the CIO that replaces the classical celestial system based on the true equator and equinox of date. This talk explains the changes resulting from the joint IAU 2000/2006 resolutions and reviews the consequences on the concepts, nomenclature, models and conventions in fundamental astronomy that are suitable for modern and future realizations of reference systems. Realization of the celestial intermediate reference system ensuring a micro-arc-second accuracy is detailed.

At the IAU 26th GA held in Prague in 2006, a new precession model (P03) was recommended and adopted to replace the old one, IAU1976 precession model. This new P03 model is to match the IAU2000 nutation model that is for anelastic Earth model and was adopted in 2003 to replace the previous IAU1980 model. However, this IAU2000 nutation model is also not a perfect one for our complex Earth, as stated in the resolution of IAU nutation working group. The Earth models in the current nutation theories are idealized and too simple, far from the real one. They suffer from several geophysical factors: the an-elasticity of the mantle, the atmospheric loading and wind, the oceanic loading and current, the atmospheric and oceanic tides, the (lateral) heterogeneity of the mantle, the differential rotation between the inner core and the mantle, and various couplings between the fluid outer core and its neighboring solids (mantle and inner core). In this paper, first we give a very brief review of the current theoretical studies of non-rigid Earth nutation, and then focus on the couplings near the core-mantle boundary and the inner core-outer core boundary, including the electro-magnetic, viscous, topographic, and gravitational couplings. Finally, we outline some interesting future studies.

Deep-space laser ranging will be ideal for testing relativistic gravity, and mapping the solar-system to an unprecedented accuracy. ASTROD (Astrodynamical Space Test of Relativity using Optical Devices) and ASTROD I are such missions. ASTROD I is a mission with a single spacecraft; it is the first step of ASTROD with 3 spacecraft. In this talk, after a brief review of ASTROD and ASTROD I, we concentrate on the precision of solar astrodynamics that can be achieved together with implications on astrometry and reference frame ties. The precise planetary ephemeris derived from these missions together with second post-Newtonian test of relativistic gravity will serve as a foundation for future precise astrometry observations. Relativistic frameworks are discussed from these considerations.

Since VLBI techniques produce a microarcsecond positional accuracy of celestial objects, tests of GR using radio sources as probes of a gravitational field have been made. We present the results from two recent tests using the VLBA: in 2005, the measurement of the classical solar deflection; and in 2002, the measurement of the retarded gravitational deflection associated with Jupiter. The deflection experiment measured γ to an accuracy of 3 × 10−4; the Jupiter experiment measured the retarded term to 20% accuracy. The controversy over the interpretation of the retarded term is summarized.

According to a revised schedule of the Russian Space Agency, in October 2008 the 10 m space telescope RadioAstron will be launched in a high eccentric orbit around the Earth. Acting together with ground based radio telescopes, the VLBI interferometer with a ground-space arm will operate. The interferometer will have extraordinary angular resolution of a few microarcsecond (μas) at the shortest wavelength (1.35 cm). Since typical angular scales for gravitational microlensing are at the μas level for cosmological locations of sources and microlenses, in principle there is a chance to resolve microimages and (or) at least, detect astrometrical shift of bright point like images. In particular, gravitationally lensed systems, such as B1600+434, where in radio band a signature of microlensing is found, look suitable for direct observations of microlensing, since microlensing with the RadioAstron interferometer may be detected in the future (considering its high angular resolution and a relatively high sensitivity and assuming a ground support by the advanced radio telescopes).

General relativistic deflection of light by mass, dipole, and quadrupole moments of gravitational field of a moving massive planet in the Solar system is derived in the approximation of the linearized Einstein equations. All terms of the order of 1 μas and larger are taken into account, parameterized, and classified in accordance with their physical origin. We discuss the observational capabilities of the near-future optical and radio interferometers for detecting the Doppler modulation of the radial deflection, and the dipolar and quadrupolar light-ray bending by Jupiter and Saturn.

The ESA astrometric mission Gaia will be able to put to test General Relativity thanks to differential astrometric measurements. The differential experiment, GAREX, implemented in the form of repeated Eddington-like measurement, aims at measuring the quadrupole light bending due to an oblate planet by comparing the evolution of relative distances in stellar fields in the vicinity of it. Simulations which utilize (i) selected fields extracted from the GSCII data base, (ii) a realistic error model as function of the star's magnitude and distance from Jupiter's edge, show the real best scenarios and how to improve the Gaia ability to detect this relativistic effect.

We describe a way to compare current relativistic astrometric models accurate to the micro-arcsecond level. The observed stellar direction can be written as a function of several parts, linking the astrometric observables to the relativistic effects associated to the stellar kinematical properties and distances as seen inside the gravitational field of our Solar System, i.e. the so called relativistic astrometric parameters, providing a tool for comparing the RAMOD framework to the pM/pN approaches.

Gravitomagnetic effects are studied in this paper. Starting from the metric in the BCRS and then using the matching method, the metric in the GCRS are derived. Furthermore, we give some estimation of the order of the gravitomagnetic effects on the lunar orbit.

In this paper, we use the metric coefficients and the equation of motion in the 2nd post-Newtonian approximation in scalar-tensor theory including intermediate range gravity to derive the deflection of light and compare it with previous works. These results will be useful for precision astrometry missions like Gaia, SIM, and LATOR (Laser Astrometric Test Of Relativity) which aim at astrometry with micro-arcsecond and nano-arcsecond accuracies and a need for the 2nd post-Newtonian framework and ephemeris to determine the stellar and spacecraft positions.

The global dynamic flattening (H) is an important quantity in research of rotating Earth. Precession observations give Hobs = 0.0032737 ≈ 1/305.5. We recalculate the geometrical flattening profile of the Earth interior from potential theory in hydrostatic equilibrium. Results coincide with that of Denis (1989). We derive expression for H to the third-order accuracy and obtain HPREM = 1/308.5. This matches similar studies, in which there is a difference about 1% between this and the observed value. In order to understand where this difference comes from, we replace the homogenous outermost crust and oceanic layers in PREM with some real surface layers data, such as oceanic layer (ECCO), topography data (GTOPO30), crust data (CRUST2.0) and mixed data (ETOPO5). Our results deviate from the observed value more than HPREM. These results verify the isostasy theory indirectly and may imply that the “positive” effects from such as mantle circulation associated with the density anomalies maybe larger than thought before.

Future deep space laser ranging missions together with astrometry missions will be able to test relativistic gravity to an unprecedented level of accuracy and will require second post-Newtonian approximation of relevant theories of gravity. Einstein-aether theory is adopted as the theory of gravity and the second post-Newtonian approximation of light propagation is studied.

Japan Astrometry Satellite Mission for Infrared Exploration (JASMINE) aims to construct a map of the Galactic bulge with a 10 μas accuracy. We use z-band CCD or K-band array detector to avoid dust absorption, and observe about 10 × 20 degrees area around the Galactic bulge region.

In this poster, we show the observation strategy, reduction scheme, and error budget. We also show the basic design of the software for the end-to-end simulation of JASMINE, named JASMINE Simulator.