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David Hobbs. Photo.

David Hobbs

Professor

David Hobbs. Photo.

Impact of basic angle variations on the parallax zero point for a scanning astrometric satellite

Author

  • Alexey G. Butkevich
  • Sergei A. Klioner
  • Lennart Lindegren
  • David Hobbs
  • Floor van Leeuwen

Summary, in English

Context. Determination of absolute parallaxes by means of a scanning astrometric satellite such as Hipparcos or Gaia relies on the short-term stability of the so-called basic angle between the two viewing directions. Uncalibrated variations of the basic angle may produce systematic errors in the computed parallaxes. Aims. We examine the coupling between a global parallax shift and specific variations of the basic angle, namely those related to the satellite attitude with respect to the Sun. Methods. The changes in observables produced by small perturbations of the basic angle, attitude, and parallaxes were calculated analytically. We then looked for a combination of perturbations that had no net effect on the observables. Results. In the approximation of infinitely small fields of view, it is shown that certain perturbations of the basic angle are observationally indistinguishable from a global shift of the parallaxes. If these kinds of perturbations exist, they cannot be calibrated from the astrometric observations but will produce a global parallax bias. Numerical simulations of the astrometric solution, using both direct and iterative methods, confirm this theoretical result. For a given amplitude of the basic angle perturbation, the parallax bias is smaller for a larger basic angle and a larger solar aspect angle. In both these respects Gaia has a more favourable geometry than Hipparcos. In the case of Gaia, internal metrology is used to monitor basic angle variations. Additionally, Gaia has the advantage of detecting numerous quasars, which can be used to verify the parallax zero point.

Department/s

  • Lund Observatory - Undergoing reorganization

Publishing year

2017-07-01

Language

English

Publication/Series

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Volume

603

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

EDP Sciences

Topic

  • Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology

Keywords

  • Astrometry
  • Catalogs
  • Methods: Data analysis
  • Methods: Statistical
  • Parallaxes
  • Space vehicles: Instruments

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0004-6361