新天文常数系统

归算观测所必需的一系列参数的采用值,定义为一个天文常数系统,它应当是一个自洽的参数序列,即常数间严格满足已知的理论关系。至今,国际上曾采用过三个天文常数系统。 1.第一个常数系统主要是由纽康的数值组成的,它被采用了半个多世纪。 2.IAU(1964)天文常数系统,从1968年起被引用。 3.IAU(1976)天文常数系统,称为新天文常数系统,已被1976年格勒诺布尔国际天文学联合会大会所采用。新系统将从1984年起取代1964年采用的系统。 本文详细说明了习用的天文常数系统的变化,并描述了新天文常数系统的特征。     

主章动常数和对它的天文实测

本文列举了最近以来,光学天文、VLBI和LLR等技术对主章动常数的测量结果,结果表明对国际天文学联合会(IAU)在1982年通过的1980 IAU章动理论应予以修正。文中强调了现代天文实测工作应该在地球模型和章动理论的研究中起到更大的作用;还讨论了在实际进行主章动常数测量工作时应该注意的一些问题。     

相对论天文参考系的回顾与展望

国际天文联合会(IAU)在1991年和2000年分别通过了关于相对论天文参考系的重要决议。特别是2000年的决议,以两个互相等价的相对论N体多参考系理论:Brumberg-Kopeikin体系和Damour-Soffel-Xu体系为基础,构造了严格且自洽的一阶后牛顿(1PN)的局部参考系和全局参考系,并给出了相应的坐标变换规则。IAU2000决议发表后的10多年里,已经开始应用在一些高精度的天体测量数据处理模型中,但是其工程化应用还没有得到广泛实现,特别是目前为止我国没有将其应用到具体的天文观测或者空间探测计划中。因此有必要对IAU的相对论天文参考系理论做一个系统的解读。首先介绍了IAU在1991年给出的一个简单的相对论参考系决议;随后在第3章和第4章详细讨论了Brumberg-Kopeikin理论和Damour-Soffel-Xu体系;接着,详细给出了IAU2000年大会关于相对论参考系的决议内容;最后,讨论了IAU2000决议的工程化应用、近10多年来的理论发展以及对未来的展望。     

岁差模型研究的新进展——P03模型

简述了岁差P03模型提出的背景情况;指出IAU1976岁差模型的缺陷, IAU 2000A岁差和章动模型中虽有改进但仍不完善;对IAU2006岁差模型(即Capitaine提出的P03模型)作了介绍,并将其与其他岁差模型L77、B03和F03进行了比较;述及GCRS至ITRS的2种表达方法,基于春分点的岁差和章动旋转角方法和运动参考架CIO的X、Y、s的方法;给出了CIP和CIO位置确定的各种方法以及其精度;最后叙述了20世纪IAU采用的岁差一章动模型和IAU天文常数工作组的有关情况,给出了在惯性参考架中"非旋转原点"的运动.     

2000年以来国际天文学联合会(IAU)关于基本天文学的决议及其应用

1991年以来,在国际天文学联合会(IAU)全体大会上,通过了一系列关于天文参考系、时间尺度和地球自转模型的决议,其目的是为了适应不断提高的天文观测精度。其中最重要的3次,分别是在1997年的京都,2000年的曼彻斯特和2006年的布拉格通过的IAU 1997,IAU 2000和IAU 2006决议,主要的变化包括:从与历元有关的动力学参考系到与历元无关的运动学参考系,从参考系的恒星实现到河外射电源实现,从春分点到无旋转原点,以及岁差-章动模型的改进。由于这些决议在参考系转换等方面引入了很多新概念和新方法,对教学、研究和应用都产生了不小的影响,对它们进行解读,澄清概念,规范使用是有必要的。首先介绍IAU关于时间尺度和天文参考系的重要决议,并重点介绍IAU 2000和2006的每一条决议:然后详细介绍其应用:包括时间系统,国际天球参考系和岁差-章动模型,并和对应的旧系统进行比较;最后对这些决议的使用提出建议。     

IAU 1976天文常数系统中的基础常数

对ＩＡＵ１９７６天文常数系统中的基础常数的测定方法进行了评述,指出十个基础常数已发生了许多变化,光速已成为常数,地球赤道半径可用于大地水准面的重力势代替,黄经总岁差需进行修改,章动常数已不能称为基础常数,其它常数也都有了新的测定结果,ＩＡＵ１９７６天文常数系统已跟上不天文学的发展,并存在很大的缺陷,必须进行修订和改进,天文常数的测定方法和理论研究都在迅速发展之中,我们应当关心这个领域的研究。     

天文常数中的相对论问题

现代天文观测技术的日新月异、广义相对论的１ＰＮ近似方法在天体力学和天体测量中的广泛应用,使得有必要在１ＰＮ框架中严格而细致地重新审查天文常数系统。在相对论框架里,太阳系天体的质量应当定义为ＢＤ质量,它们的相对变化不超过１０＾－１９,可视为守恒量;引力势满足的方程不再是Ｐｏｉｓｓｏｎ方程而与坐标规范的选择有关,引力势也不再能用传统的球谐函数展开。应当选定一种规范,并且以ＢＤ多极矩作为天文常数。黄赤交     

2009国际天文年总结报告出炉

2010年9月,在葡萄牙里斯本的欧洲天文学和空间科学周上,国际天文学联合会（IAU）发布了一份长达1400页的关于2009国际天文年（IYA2009）的总结报告。该报告显示,至少在世界上148个国家,有8．15亿人次参加这个几十年来全球最大的科学普及活动。让我们回顾过去的2009国际天文年,看看她在全球带来了怎样的影响。以及她未来将发挥的作用。     

北京迎来“天文奥运”——第28NIAU大会将在北京召开

2012年8月20日至8月31日,中国将在北京首次举办第28届国际天文学联合会大会（简称IAU大会）。IAU大会被誉为天文界的奥运会,是一个世界性的高水平天文学术交流活动,也是国际天文界最重要的学术和工作会议。     

中国开展的星表和天文常数研究活动(1990.7～1993.1)

叙述了1990年7月至1993年1月期间中国的星表和天文常数工作。它包括仪器的改进与研制,星表的观测和编算,天文常效、天球参考系的研究,以及其相应的方法与技术.     

A system of astronomical constants in the relativistic framework

The relation between the units and readings of time and space coordinates of terrestrial and barycentric reference frames is discussed from the viewpoint of general relativity. Attention is paid to the unit of space coordinates since the International Astronomical Union (IAU) regulates only the unit of time in the above two frames. Two definitions of unit of length are examined and their effects on the numerical expression of coordinate transformation, equations of planetary motions, and those for light propagation time are discussed. A clear conflict is found between the IAU (1976) recommendation on the definition of the time-scales in different frames of reference and the statement that all constants in the IAU (1976) new system of astronomical constants are defined in terms of the Internationsl System of units (SI units). One of the above two definitions is proposed to resolve this conflict by the least alteration to current procedures for analysing the recent astrometric observations such as the radar/laser rangings, the range and range-rate, and the very long baseline interferometric observations. Also, an interpretation of numerical values in the IAU (1976) new system of astronomical constants is presented. It is stressed that the definition proposed in this paper requires that a formula slightly different from that in current use be employed in the numerical transformation of readings of coordinates between the terrestrial and barycentric reference frames.     

Impact of astronomical research from different countries

The impact of astronomical research carried out by different countries has been compared by analysing the 1000 most‐cited astronomy papers published 1991‐8 (125 from each year). 61% of the citations are to papers with first authors at institutions in the USA, 11% in the UK, 5% in Germany, 4% in Canada, 3% in Italy and 3% in France. 17% are to papers with first authors in ESO countries. The number of citations is approximately proportional to the number of IAU members in a given country. The number of citations per IAU astronomer is highest in the USA, Switzerland and the UK. Within continental Europe, the number of citations per IAU astronomer varies little from country to country, but is slightly higher in the north than in the south. The sample of 1000 papers maps regional subject preferences. 62% of the extragalactic papers in the sample were published from the USA, 15% from the UK, 23% from other countries (mainly in continental Europe). 62% of the papers on stars were also published from the USA, but the fractions from the UK and from other countries are 2% and 36% respectively. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Some characteristics of astronomical climate on Mount Koshka,Simeiz

Coefficients of atmospheric extinction in the Johnson-Cousins system are determined for the astronomical point at Mount Koshka (Simeiz, Crimea). The astronomical point is characterized by high transparency and frequent periods of low quality of the image, which is explained by its position between the Crimean Range and the Black Sea.     

First astronomical observatory in Lviv

This historical essay highlights the state of the art for astronomical researches in Lviv dating back to the end of 18th century, the information is given concerning earliest documentary substantiated astronomical observations held in Lviv. The circumstances of foundation and building astronomical Observatory at Jesuit College (University) are depicted, the foundation date is determined by archival materials, it is 15 of May, 1771. We have investigated the role played by Observatory during the incorporation of Galicia (Halychyna) into Austro-Hungarian empire. The biographical data are collected and arranged concerning prominent astronomers and engineers of those times, the lives of which were somehow connected to Lviv Observatory.     

History of astronomical discoveries

The wide diversity of routes to astronomical, astrophysical and cosmological discovery is discussed through a number of historical case studies. Prime ingredients for success include new technology, precision observation, extensive databases, capitalising upon discoveries in cognate disciplines, imagination and luck. Being in the right place at the right time is a huge advantage. The changing perspectives on the essential tools for tackling frontier problems and astronomical advance are discussed.     

广义相对论框架中的IAU时间尺度和参考系

简要地回顾和介绍了IAU时间尺度和参考系的历史和进展，其主要内容：（1）牛顿时空观和相对论时空观，（2）IAU各种时间尺度的历史演变和相互关系；（3）IAU的天文参考系，有关的最新决议,相对论框架下度规及其规范问题，四维时空中的空间1PN坐标变换，也介绍了一些有关工作，阐明了与IAU最新决议稍有不同的观点，指出目前IAU有关决议可能仍存在的某种程度上的不完善。     

Analysis of Korean astronomical records with Chinese equatorial coordinates

The historical documents of ancient Korea contain abundant records on various astronomical phenomena. The historical documents of the Joseon dynasty contain observational values based on Chinese equatorial coordinate system (i.e., angular distances from the reference star of a lunar mansion and the North Pole). However, quantitative analysis of the observational values has not been carried out. In this study, we investigate the observational accuracy during the Joseon dynasty by comparing the astronomical records of Joseonwangjo Sillok (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty) and Seungjeongwon Ilgi (Daily Records of the Royal Secretariat) with modern astronomical calculations. Consequently, we find that the observational accuracy during the early Joseon dynasty was approximately 1°.2 and 0°.3 in the right ascension and declination, respectively. On the other hand, we find that the observational accuracy during the later Joseon dynasty was considerably poor. Observations of Halley's comet in 1759 were off by approximately 7° in declination. We believe that further investigation is required to verify the reason for this poor accuracy. Thus, we list the complete records used for this study in the appendix. We believe that these records also can contribute to modern studies on phenomena such as supernovae or Halley's comet. In conclusion, we believe that this study is useful for understanding ancient Korean astronomical records, even though we have considered a small number of astronomical events (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Interferometric calibrations and astronomical calibrators

This chapter gives some indications on the selection of suitable astronomical calibrators for interferometric observations. After an introduction to interferometric calibrations, we will focus on the criteria, steps and tools developed by ESO to prepare VLTI observations and to select calibrators. Although the tools described here are focused on VLTI, the problem of astronomical calibrators is the same for the other interferometers and can be approached in the same way.     

Query driven visualization of astronomical catalogs

Interactive visualization of astronomical catalogs requires novel techniques due to the huge volumes and complex structure of the data produced by existing and upcoming astronomical surveys. The creation as well as the disclosure of the catalogs can be handled by data pulling mechanisms (Buddelmeijer et al. 2011). These prevent unnecessary processing and facilitate data sharing by having users request the desired end products. In this work we present query driven visualization as a logical continuation of data pulling. Scientists can request catalogs in a declarative way and set process parameters directly from within the visualization. This results in profound interoperation between software with a high level of abstraction. New messages for the Simple Application Messaging Protocol are proposed to achieve this abstraction. Support for these messages are implemented in the Astro-WISE information system and in a set of demonstrational applications.