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Activity Report of the IAU Working Group on Reference Systems Sub-Group on Astronomical Constants

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2016

T. Fukusfflma
T. Fukusfflma*
Affiliation:
Satellite Geodesy Office, Geodesy and Geophysics Div., Hydrographic Department, Maritime Safety Agency 5-3-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104, Japan

Extract

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The IAU Working Group on Reference Systems (WGRS) Sub-Group on Astronomical Constants (SGAC) was established in June, 1989, as a consequence of resolutions adopted by Commissions 4, 7, 8 and 24 at the IAU General Assembly at Baltimore in 1988. The given missions of this sub-group were stated clearly by J. Hughes, the chairman of the WGRS, as:

“Provide numerical values for the primary constants and specify the relationships between these and other, secondary constants within the framework of general relativity. This task will involve the documentation of the constants themselves as well as of the procedures and algorithms associated with their use. Recognition must be given to the fact that approaches which are specific to various techniques exist. The group must recommend the best estimates which can meet the varied requirements of astronomy. The apparent dichotomy between adopting fixed values for various quantities on the one hand, and the need for current, highly accurate values on the other hand, must be addressed by the group. Indeed, the crafting of effective procedures for incorporating new determinations into the values assigned to the constants, and the setting up of a mechanism for disseminating information regarding new determinations as an interim measure, are important tasks for this group.”

This is a report of the activity of the SGAC prior to IAU Colloquium No.127. Section 2 summarizes the questionnaire prepared in trie course of discussion. In Section 3, the discussions on major issues are introduced. The drafts of Recommendations from the SGAC prepared before the Colloquium are shown in Section 4. Note that these drafts were very different from the final form as indicated in this Proceeding. Sections 5 and 6 deal with the current status of astronomical constants used widely now and the best estimates of some major constants which are available now, respectively. I believe these will serve as a guideline for current astronomical constants.

Type
Part 1. Oral Papers
Information
International Astronomical Union Colloquium , Volume 127: Reference Systems , 1991 , pp. 27 - 35
Copyright
Copyright © United States Naval Observatory 1991