The Science of Fundamental Catalogs

This review paper discusses the science of astrometric catalogs, their current applications and future prospects for making progress in fundamental astronomy, astrophysics and gravitational physics. We discuss the concept of fundamental catalogs, their practical realizations, and future perspectives. Particular attention is paid to the astrophysical implementations of the catalogs such as the measurement of the Oort constants, the secular aberration and parallax, and asteroseismology. We also consider the use of the fundamental catalogs in gravitational physics for testing general theory of relativity and detection of ultra-long gravitational waves of cosmological origin. PACS numbers: 04.20.Cv, 04.30.−w, 95.10.−a, 95.10.Jk, 95.30.−k.

Progress with implementing the new research data management system at HartRAO

The Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) participates in global radio astronomy and fundamental astronomy (space geodesy) research activities. Data and data products produced by HartRAO’s expanding range of on-site and off-site instrumentation must be archived and stored at HartRAO and made accessible to the scientific community. The data management and storage systems currently being used for managing fundamental astronomy data are not capable of handling the large volumes of data and have become obsolete. This necessitated the design and implementation of a next-generation Geodetic Research Data Management System (GRDMS), which complies with internationally accepted data service standards. We present the top-level conceptual model of the GRDMS and progress to date with developments of various sub-systems, data structuring and organisation within the sub-systems.

DIVISION A COMMISSION 31: TIME

Time is an essential element of fundamental astronomy. In recent years there have been many time-related issues, in scientific and technological aspects as well as in conventions and definitions. At the Commission 31 (Time) business meeting at the XXIX General Assembly, recent progress and many topics, including Pulsar Time Scales WG and Future UTC WG activities, were reviewed and discussed. In this report, we will review the progress of these topics in the past three years. There are many remarkable topics, such as Time scales, Atomic clock development, Time transfer, Future UTC and future redefinition of the second. Among them, scientific highlights are the progress of pulsar time scales and the optical frequency standards. On the other hand, as the social convention, change in the definition of UTC and the second is important.

Preface: Joint Discussion JD5 From Meteors and Meteorites to their Parent Bodies: Current Status and Future Developments

The Joint Discussion 5 entitled "From Meteors and Meteorites to their Parent Bodies: Current Status and Future Developments" within the IAU GA 2012 was organized with the coordination of the IAU Division III Planetary Systems Sciences and the IAU Commission N. 22 Meteors, Meteorites & Interplanetary Dust, together with the supports by Divisions I Fundamental Astronomy, Division XII Union-Wide Activities, Commission 4 Ephemerides, Commission 6 Astronomical Telegrams, Commission 8 Astrometry, Commission 15 Physical Study of Comets & Minor Planets, and Commission 20 Positions & Motions of Minor Planets, Comets & Satellites.

SOFA—an IAU service fit for the future

Standards of Fundamental Astronomy (SOFA) is an International Astronomical Union (IAU) service that provides accessible and authoritative algorithms and procedures that implement standard models used in fundamental astronomy. This paper summaries the current status, noting the changes during 2009-2012, and discusses issues that may arise in the future.

Relativity in fundamental astronomy

An overview is given over the broad field of Relativity in Fundamental Astronomy. The present status is recalled and deficiencies are pointed out that might lead to future work within IAU Commission 52.

Preface: Joint Discussion JD7: Space-time reference systems for future research

The Joint Discussion on Space-time reference systems for future research (JD7) was held at the XXVIIIth General Assembly of the IAU in Beijing, on 27–29 August 2012. It was organized by IAU Division I (Fundamental Astronomy), with the support of Division III (Planetary Systems Sciences), Division IX (Optical & Infrared Techniques), Division XI (Space & High Energy Astrophysics), and Division XII (Union-Wide Activities). The scientific organizing committee was composed of Nicole Capitaine (France; co-Chair), George H. Kaplan (USA), Sergei Klioner (Germany; co-Chair), Zoran Knezevic (Republic of Serbia), Dafydd Wyn Evans (UK), Dennis McCarthy (USA; co-Chair), Harald Schuh (Austria), Richard N. Manchester (Australia) and Gérard Petit (France).