Dense Optical Reference Frames: UCAC and URAT
Abstract
A series of ground-based, dedicated astrometric, observational programs have been performed or are in preparation which provide a dense, accurate, optical reference frame. Integral to all these programs are new observations to link the Hipparcos Celestial Reference Frame (HCRF) to the International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF), based on compact, extragalactic radio sources. The U.S. Naval Observatory CCD Astrograph Catalog (UCAC) 3rd release is in preparation. A pixel re-reduction is in progress to improve astrometric and photometric accuracy as well as completeness of this all-sky reference frame catalog to 16th magnitude. Optical counterparts of ICRF radio sources have been observed with 0.9-meter telescopes contemporaneously. Scanning of over 5000 early-epoch astrograph plates on StarScan has been completed. These data will improve the proper motions of stars in the 10 to 14 mag range for the UCAC3 release. A 111 million-pixel CCD was successfully fabricated in 2006 and test observations at the USNO astrograph are underway. Four of these detectors will be used for the USNO Robotic Astrometric Telescope (URAT) focal plane assembly. Phase I of URAT will use the astrograph to reach 18th magnitude, while the new 0.85-meter telescope with a 4.5 deg diameter field of view will reach 21st magnitude. The URAT primary mirror has been produced.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA474435
Entities
People
- Norbert Zacharias
Organizations
- United States Naval Observatory