Atronomical CCD observations of the main Saturn’s satellites at Pulkovo Observatory in 2004–2007

Abstract

The results of astrometric observations of Saturn’s satellites (S1–S8) obtained using a 26-inch refractor and a normal astrograph at Pulkovo Observatory in 2004–2007 are given. High-accuracy equatorial coordinates of Saturn’s satellites in the system of the UCAC2 reference catalog and the relative “satellite-satellite” positions suitable for specifying their motion theories are obtained. The observations are compared with the DE405 + TASS1.7 and INPOP06 + TASS1.7 theories of motion. The root-mean-square errors of the obtained satellite positions lie within the range of 10–50 mas, as far as the intrinsic convergence is concerned, and 20–70 mas, as far as the extrinsic one is concerned. The observation results are included into the astrometrical database of the Pulkovo Observatory ( www.puldb.ru ).