Publication Date:
2024-01-12
Description:
Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) intensive (INT) sessions are critical for the rapid determination and densification of Universal Time 1‐Coordinate Universal Time (UT1‐UTC), which plays an important role in satellite geodesy and space exploration missions and is not predictable over longer time scales. Due to the limited observation geometry of INT sessions with two to three stations observing about 1 hr, tropospheric gradients cannot be estimated, which degrades the UT1‐UTC precision. We investigate the impact of tropospheric ties at Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs) and VLBI co‐located stations in INT sessions from 2001 to 2021. VLBI and GNSS observations are combined on the observation level. The results are evaluated by using both UT1‐UTC and Length of Day (LOD) from consecutive sessions. We demonstrate a better agreement of 10%–30% when comparing the derived LOD to GNSS LOD for INT1, INT2, and VGOS‐2 sessions; whereas, the agreement is not improved when directly comparing UT1‐UTC to the IERS Earth Orientation Parameters (EOPs) product, potentially because INT sessions also contribute to IERS EOP products. The major impact comes from tropospheric gradient ties, whereas applying zenith delay ties does not improve or even deteriorate UT1‐UTC agreement. Gradient ties also introduce systematic biases in UT1‐UTC by around −3 to −5 μs, except for the Russian INT sessions. Regression analysis shows that the east gradient introduces systematic effects in UT1‐UTC for sessions involving Germany and USA (Hawaii), whereas for Germany–Japan and Russian sessions, the north gradient also contributes systematically.
Description:
Plain Language Summary:
Universal Time 1‐Coordinate Universal Time (UT1‐UTC) gives the time difference of UT1, defined by Earth's rotation, and UTC, defined by atomic clocks. UT1‐UTC is essential for real‐time navigation and space exploration. The variation of the first‐order negative time derivative of UT1‐UTC, Length of Day (LOD), is induced by mass redistribution, including tides of the solid Earth and oceans, the liquid core of the Earth and atmospheric variation, and climate events such as El Niño. Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observing active galactic nuclei is the only space geodetic technique that can determine UT1‐UTC unambiguously. The 1‐hr intensive (INT) sessions, designed for the rapid determination and densification of UT1‐UTC, are performed daily with two VLBI radio telescopes. Due to the limited observation geometry, tropospheric gradients cannot be modeled in INT sessions, deteriorating UT1‐UTC estimates. We demonstrate an improvement of 10%–30% in LOD by applying tropospheric ties at VLBI and Global Navigation Satellite Systems co‐locations, especially the tropospheric gradients ties. Tropospheric gradient ties also introduce a systematic effect of −3 to −5 μs on UT1‐UTC, especially the east gradient. Our study shows that tropospheric ties should be adopted in future VLBI analysis for optimal UT1‐UTC products.
Description:
Key Points:
Tropospheric ties are applied in a Global Navigation Satellite System–Very Long Baseline Interferometry (GNSS–VLBI) integrated solution analyzing VLBI intensive (INT) sessions from 2001 to 2021.
Length of Day (LOD) of IVS INT sessions shows a better agreement by 10%–30% when compared to GNSS LOD product, mainly due to gradient ties.
Gradient ties, especially the east one, introduce systematic biases of −3 to −5 μs in Universal Time 1‐Coordinate Universal Time of IVS INT sessions.
Description:
Helmholtz OCPC Program
Description:
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001659
Description:
https://www.iers.org/IERS/EN/DataProducts/EarthOrientationData/eop.html
Description:
http://doi.org/10.17616/R3RD2H
Keywords:
ddc:526
;
intensive sessions
;
UT1‐UTC
;
tropospheric ties
;
GNSS
;
VLBI
;
integrated processing
Language:
English
Type:
doc-type:article
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