Consistent post-Newtonian theory for nutation/precession in a realistic Earth model

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Michael H. Soffel
• Subject Area: Geophysics and Geodesy
• Term: from 2006 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5471782

The aim of this project is the construction of the first self-consistent post-Newtonian theory of Earth¿s rotation in the framework of the model of rigidly rotating multipoles. The differences between the relativistic theory to be constructed within this project and the best modern purely Newtonian theories are expected to amount to a few tens of microarcseconds, about ten times larger than the current observational accuracy of the Earth¿s orientation parameters. The new series will be based upon the post-Newtonian formalism of rigidly rotating multipoles that presents a useful generalization of the Newtonian formalism of a rigid Earth. The post-Newtonian dynamical equations of motion will be integrated numerically with suitable values for the model constants (such as the principle moments of inertia) and initial conditions. With a combination of techniques amplitudes and phases of a nutation series will be fitted. Detailed comparisons especially with present highly accurate Newtonian nutation series will be performed. The aimed precession/nutation series can be used at a later stage to construct a relativistic theory of rotation of a non-rigid Earth.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 584: Earth Rotation and Global Dynamic Processes
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Sergei Klioner