arXiv subjects

Rüdiger Haas

Publications and source records attributed to Rüdiger Haas.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A multi-band radio flux density catalog of ICRF3 sources using the Onsala Twin Telescopes

The VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS) is the next generation system for geodetic and astrometric Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). To optimize the observing time for each source in geodetic schedules, a flux density catalog is needed for the sources that are observed at the VGOS frequencies. The aim of this work is to monitor the flux densities of geodetic sources in the VGOS bands. The obtained flux density time series can be used for more effective scheduling of geodetic and astrometric VLBI experiments, as well as probing active galactic nuclei (AGN) physics. The Onsala Twin Telescopes have been used as a single baseline interferometer to measure flux densities of AGN that are part of the International Celestial Reference System (ICRF3). The telescopes observed at 3.2, 5.5, 6.6 and 10.4 GHz simultaneously. Both locally planned flux monitoring sessions and international geodetic experiments were analyzed. The data were calibrated using the Common Astronomy Software Applications (CASA). The possibility of predicting geodetic signal-to-noise ratios (S/N) using the measured flux densities was also tested. Simultaneous light curves in up to four frequencies have been obtained for 361 sources. The majority of the sources vary significantly in flux density during the measurement period. Most sources have a flat or inverted spectrum, with only 6 % having a steep spectrum. Furthermore, the flux densities from this work were shown to more precisely predict geodetic signal-to-noise ratios compared to the standard VGOS flux density catalog, especially for the most variable sources. Flux density variation needs to be taken into account to obtain the most optimal VGOS schedules. The flux density catalog presented here is expected to be of use for both astronomy and geodesy. We plan to continue the monitoring program.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2026

NovaMoon: A Strategic Lunar Reference Station for Positioning, Timing, and Largely Enhanced Science in the Earth-Moon System

The renewed interest in lunar exploration and the development of future lunar communication and navigation services highlight the need for a precise, stable, and interoperable geodetic and timing infrastructure on the Moon. NovaMoon, proposed as a scientific and navigation payload for ESA's Argonaut lander, is designed as a lunar-based local differential, geodetic, and timing station supporting both operational needs in the Moon's south polar region and a broad range of scientific investigations. The payload integrates a lunar laser retroreflector, a Very Long Baseline Interferometry transmitter, a receiver for navigation signals compatible with LunaNet standards, high-stability atomic clocks, and direct-to-Earth radio links -- making it the first lunar station to co-locate multiple ranging, tracking, and timing techniques. NovaMoon will enable sub-metre to decimetre positioning, provide local differential corrections for lunar users, and ensure an accurate and stable realisation of position and time. Preliminary simulation studies show that this multi-technique dataset improves the lunar reference frame, orientation and ephemerides, and estimates of interior parameters like tidal response and core properties. NovaMoon will also provide the first long-duration physical realisation of a lunar time reference. Beyond its primary goals, it supports improved cartography, precise surface geolocation, and higher-resolution topography, contributing to safer landings and operations. It also enables new tests of fundamental physics, including constraints on relativity and possible deviations from classical gravity.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2022

GENESIS: Co-location of Geodetic Techniques in Space

Improving and homogenizing time and space reference systems on Earth and, more directly, realizing the Terrestrial Reference Frame (TRF) with an accuracy of 1mm and a long-term stability of 0.1mm/year are relevant for many scientific and societal endeavors. The knowledge of the TRF is fundamental for Earth and navigation sciences. For instance, quantifying sea level change strongly depends on an accurate determination of the geocenter motion but also of the positions of continental and island reference stations, as well as the ground stations of tracking networks. Also, numerous applications in geophysics require absolute millimeter precision from the reference frame, as for example monitoring tectonic motion or crustal deformation for predicting natural hazards. The TRF accuracy to be achieved represents the consensus of various authorities which has enunciated geodesy requirements for Earth sciences. Today we are still far from these ambitious accuracy and stability goals for the realization of the TRF. However, a combination and co-location of all four space geodetic techniques on one satellite platform can significantly contribute to achieving these goals. This is the purpose of the GENESIS mission, proposed as a component of the FutureNAV program of the European Space Agency. The GENESIS platform will be a dynamic space geodetic observatory carrying all the geodetic instruments referenced to one another through carefully calibrated space ties. The co-location of the techniques in space will solve the inconsistencies and biases between the different geodetic techniques in order to reach the TRF accuracy and stability goals endorsed by the various international authorities and the scientific community. The purpose of this white paper is to review the state-of-the-art and explain the benefits of the GENESIS mission in Earth sciences, navigation sciences and metrology.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2021

Short-baseline interferometry local-tie experiments at the Onsala Space Observatory

We present results from observation, correlation and analysis of interferometric measurements between the three geodetic very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) stations at the Onsala Space Observatory. In total 25 sessions were observed in 2019 and 2020, most of them 24 hours long, all using X-band only. These involved the legacy VLBI station ONSALA60 and the Onsala twin telescopes, ONSA13NE and ONSA13SW, two broadband stations for the next generation geodetic VLBI global observing system (VGOS). We used two analysis packages: nuSolve to pre-process the data and solve ambiguities, and ASCOT to solve for station positions, including modelling gravitational deformation of the radio telescopes and other significant effects. We obtained weighted root mean square postfit residuals for each session on the order of 10-15 ps using group delays and 2-5 ps using phase delays. The best performance was achieved on the (rather short) baseline between the VGOS stations. As the main result of this work we determined the coordinates of the Onsala twin telescopes in VTRF2020b with sub-millimeter precision. This new set of coordinates should be used from now on for scheduling, correlation, as a~priori for data analyses, and for comparison with classical local-tie techniques. Finally, we find that positions estimated from phase-delays are offset $\sim+3$ mm in the Up-component with respect to group-delays. Additional modelling of (elevation-dependent) effects may contribute to future understanding of this offset.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2020

Observing UT1-UTC with VGOS

We present first results of UT1-UTC determinations using the VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS). During December 2019 through February 2020 a series of 1~hour long observing sessions were performed using the VGOS stations at Ishioka in Japan and the Onsala twin telescopes in Sweden. The data of this VGOS-B series were correlated, post-correlation processed, and analysed at the Onsala Space Observatory. The derived UT1-UTC results were compared to corresponding results from standard legacy S/X Intensive sessions (INT1/INT2), as well to the final values of the International Earth Rotation and Reference Frame Service (IERS), provided in IERS Bulletin~B. The VGOS-B series achieve 3-4 times lower formal uncertainties for the UT1-UTC results than standard legacy S/X INT series. Furthermore, the root mean square (RMS) agreement with respect to the IERS Bulletin~B is 30-40 % better for the VGOS-B results than for the INT1/INT2 results.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2016

Planetary Radio Interferometry and Doppler Experiment (PRIDE) technique: A test case of the Mars Express Phobos fly-by

The closest ever fly-by of the Martian moon Phobos, performed by the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft, gives a unique opportunity to sharpen and test the Planetary Radio Interferometry and Doppler Experiments (PRIDE) technique in the interest of studying planet - satellite systems. The aim of this work is to demonstrate a technique of providing high precision positional and Doppler measurements of planetary spacecraft using the Mars Express spacecraft. The technique will be used in the framework of Planetary Radio Interferometry and Doppler Experiments in various planetary missions, in particular in fly-by mode. We advanced a novel approach to spacecraft data processing using the techniques of Doppler and phase-referenced very long baseline interferometry spacecraft tracking. We achieved, on average, mHz precision (30 μm/s at a 10 seconds integration time) for radial three-way Doppler estimates and sub-nanoradian precision for lateral position measurements, which in a linear measure (at a distance of 1.4 AU) corresponds to ~50 m.

astro-ph.IM↗