Geodetic and Geophysical Applications of High Precision Astrometry

Abstract

AbstractHigh precision astrometry has a long history of making fundamental contributions to geodesy and geophysics extending centuries into the past, and has provided the foundation for many exciting developments in geophysics in the last several decades. In the 1970s, geodetic VLBI and laser ranging provided the first direct measurement of plate tectonic deformation of the crust. These techniques have also revolutionized the study of Earth rotation by providing sufficient precision to measure climate variability, internal structure, and physical properties. Astrometry will continue to be important in a variety of geophysical problems because of its unique ability to determine Earth orientation relative to a stable celestial frame.