Minor planet observations and the fundamental reference system

Abstract

A 15 year project to establish a dynamical reference system utilizing ground-based and Space Telescope observations of 34 minor planets is being undertaken. The orbits of these minor planets will be knit into a common system through the use of “crossing point” observations. The system of orbits thus established can be used to measure long arcs in the sky (similar to the function of a transit circle) and can be used to detect individual star errors as well as residual periodic effects in the fundamental reference system. The minor planet dynamical reference system will also provide an independent method to establish the zero point and the solid-body rotation of the HIPPARCOS reference system.