Analysis of Lunar Laser Ranging Data and Performance and Analysis of VLBI Observations for Geodetic Purposes.

Abstract

Lunar laser ranging (LLR) observations made by the McDonald Observatory from 1970 through 1980 have been analyzed to estimate the variation of latitude and Universal Time (UT). We have compared these estimates with determinations of earth rotation from other techniques. For observations obtained in two one-week periods in September and October 1980, during the International 'MERIT' (Measurement of Earth Rotation and Intercomparison of Techniques) Short Campaign, the root-mean-square difference between LLR and very long baseline interferometry determinations of UT was 0.3 milliseconds. We have also used LLR determinations of UT to derive changes in length-of-day (lod) and compared these with changes in lod inferred from changes in the polar component of the earth's atmospheric angular momentum. A common, persistent approx. 50-day fluctuation was identified in these lod values.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 17, 1981
Accession Number
ADA112235

Entities

People

  • I. I. Shapiro
  • P. J. Morgan
  • R. B. Langley
  • R. W. King
  • T. A. Herring

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Angular Momentum
  • Bandwidth
  • Classification
  • Data Analysis
  • Earth Tides
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Bands
  • Latitude
  • Massachusetts
  • Measurement
  • Observatories
  • Planetary Sciences
  • Radio Interferometry
  • Radio Telescopes
  • Standards
  • United States
  • X Band

Readers

  • Astronomy/Astrophysics
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris