Analysis and Synthesis of Catalogues of Extragalactic Radio Sources

Abstract

AbstractRecent observation catalogues of extragalactic radio sources obtained by Very Long Baseline Interferometry agree in the mean to a few milliarcseconds (mas). Within this range the position differences show constant, linear and periodic offsets. To cast light on these offsets the differences between some of the representative observation catalogues are plotted. Especially, the periodic variations of declination differences of observation catalogues having significantly different epochs are tentatively explained by an uncertainty of the general precession in declination. In terms of the luni-solar precession this uncertainty is estimated to be of the order of −1to −2 mas per year.