On Desiderata for Star Catalogs for the Remainder of the Twentieth Century: A Report on Catalog Work Now in Progress at the U.S. Naval Observatory

Abstract

The results of observations of Southern Reference Stars (SRS) of all participants in the SRS program (1961–1973) have been received at the U.S. Naval Observatory. It is anticipated that compilation of the final SRS catalog of mean positions will be completed by the end of 1984.A supplementary list to the International Reference Star (IRS) catalog is described. It has been selected with a view to improving areal density and distribution in spectral type.A comparison of solutions for equator and equinox corrections and corrections to the assumed elements of the earth's orbit from daytime observations of the Sun, Mercury, and Venus and nighttime observations of Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta from Six-inch Transit Circle observations made during the W5-50 program (1963–1971) shows that a very significant part of the systematic daytime error has been removed. A problem remains for observations of the Sun, particularly in declination.