V. E. Zharov

Physical origins for variations in the apparent positions of quasars

The physical origins of the apparent motion of radio sources in the ICRF are considered. The sources can be divided into four groups, according to the characteristics of their motion. Here, we consider the model for the motion of the first group of sources—those displaying uniform linear motion. Since the apparent speeds of the radio sources are close to, and sometimes exceeding, the speed of light, it is natural to suppose that these sources are relativistic jets or plasma clouds moving with speeds close to the speed of light. Uniform linear motion can be explained by a model invoking precession of the jet. We consider the physical characteristics of a number of selected sources of the ICRF in the proposed model.

Estimating the apparent motions of extragalactic radio sources

The apparent motions of 573 extragalactic radio sources are estimated. For this purpose, we analyzed the data that were obtained during 3193 series of observations using very-long baseline radio interferometry (VLBI) from 1984 to 2010. To find a solution, the least-squares method with constraints is applied. It is shown that most radio sources (including defining sources) are characterized by significant apparent motions. Since the stability of the celestial reference system is due to the absence of net rotation (no-net-rotation condition) relative to the defining sources, a change in their coordinates leads to the rotation of the celestial coordinate system (CCS). Owing to this, we believe that the apparent motions of radio sources must be given in catalogs.

Signal delay in the RadioAstron ground-space interferometer

The commissioning of the RadioAstron space radio telescope observing in a radio-interferometer mode with baselines exceeding the baselines of ground-based VLBI systems by more than an order of magnitude requires revision of the formula used to calculate the delay of the arrival of the signal from a distant source to the telescopes in ground-based observations. This formula is derived taking into account all corrections necessary to achieve the required accuracy; numerical estimates of the contributions of all terms are presented.

Improvement of the orbit of the Spektr-R spacecraft in the RadioAstron mission on the basis of radio range and Doppler measurements

The first results of the improvement of the state vector of the Spektr-R spacecraft of the RadioAstron mission, which is a part of an earth–space radio interferometer, are presented. The state vector includes three components for the spacecraft position and three components for its velocity in the Geocentric Celestial Reference System. Kalman filtering on the basis of radio range and Doppler data allows refinement of the components at each iteration. It is shown that orbit improvement increases the accuracy of the orbit determined at the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics.

The celestial reference frame stability and apparent motions of the radio sources

Time series of the coordinates of the ICRF radio sources were analyzed. It was shown that part of radio sources, including even the so-called “defining” sources, show a the significant apparent motion. Corrections for their a priori coordinates are time functions. The celestial reference frame stability is provided by the no-net-rotation condition applied to the selected subset of sources, which leads in our case to a rotation of the frame axes with time. Parameters of this rotation were calculated for different subsets of sources. To improve stability of the celestial reference frame new methods of selection of the extragalactic radio sources were suggested. The first one was called “cosmological” and the second one “kinematical”. It was shown that a selected subset of the ICRF sources, according to cosmological criteria, determines the most stable coordinate system during next decade.

Space Navigation by X-Ray Pulsars

This review considers the problem of autonomously determining the position of a spacecraft in space based on the analysis of pulses emitted by X-ray pulsars. The characteristics of the prospective equipment and lists of pulsar candidates for reference sources are given. The navigation algorithm and resulting accuracy characteristics are substantiated.

Improvement of the orbit of the Spektr-R spacecraft in the RadioAstron mission and required conditions for improvement using a Kalman filter

This paper is concerned with improvement of the state vector of the Spektr-R spacecraft of the RadioAstron mission. The state vector includes three coordinates of the position of the spacecraft and three components of its velocity in the Geocentric Celestial Reference System. Improvement of the orbit of the spacecraft is understood as improvement of the state vector. The results are compared with the original orbits determined at the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics (IAM). The paper considers both using the Kalman filter based on a single set of radio-range and Doppler data from ground-based stations and the analysis of conditions that will lead to improvement of the orbit. It has been shown that using three ground-based stations that perform simultaneous measurements the problem is solved completely, even when a poor initial approximation is used. Based on the results, a list of requirements is obtained that will provide more accurate information on the orbit of the Spektr-R spacecraft.

A multipole analysis of the apparent motion of reference radio sources

In this paper, the apparent motions of quasars, which are the reference sources of the international celestial reference system (ICRS), are analyzed. Kinematic parameters from four catalogs compiled by different research groups are used. Apparent motions are expanded on a special set of vector functions on the sphere that are an irreducible representation of the rotation group O(3). The degree of the noninertiality of the barycentric reference system caused by the rotation of the solar system around the galactic center is estimated according to expansion coefficients. The direction and magnitude of the acceleration vector are calculated and compared with the alternative estimates. This method is discussed as a way to test Newton’s law on a large scale.

Principles for selecting a list of reference radio sources for a celestial coordinate system

Time series of the coordinates of radio sources defining the celestial coordinate frame are analyzed. Methods for selecting such sources so as to enhance the stability of the frame are considered. Some of these sources, including so-called “defining” sources, demonstrate significant proper motions. Since the stability of the celestial coordinate frame is determined by an absence of global rotation relative to the defining sources (no net rotation), variation in their coordinates will lead to a rotation of the axes of the celestial coordinate frame. The parameters of this rotation are calculated for two physical models for the motions of extragalactic radio sources. The motions displayed by the first group of sources are linear and uniform. Since the apparent speeds of radio sources are often close to, and sometimes exceed, the speed of light, it is supposed that such radio sources have relativistic jets or plasma clouds that move with speeds roughly equal to the speed of light. The observed uniform, linear motion can then be explained by precession of the jet. The second group of sources display non-linear motions, interpreted as a manifestation of the acceleration of matter by the jet. It is assumed that a cloud of particles that moves into the path of the jet is accelerated to relativistic speeds by the jet. A list of sources that should form a very stable coordinate system for several decades into the future is composed based on these two models.

Impact of Pulsar Giant Pulses on Distant Clocks Comparison

New method of precise clocks comparison based on observation and registration of giant pulses of the millisecond pulsars is discussed. It was shown that expected accuracy of comparison is about 0.2 – 2 ns and depends on uncertainty of delay in the Earth ionosphere and troposphere.