Open AccessAstrometric observations of the Uranian satellites with the Faulkes Telescope North in 2007 September
Author(s) -
Khovritchev M. Yu.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.13947.x
Subject(s) - uranus , physics , astrometry , ephemeris , astrophysics , astronomy , proper motion , telescope , right ascension , sky , halo , declination , geodesy , satellite , galaxy , stars , geology , planet
The results of astrometric observations of the main Uranian satellites taken with the Faulkes Telescope North are presented. A median filter algorithm was applied to subtract a scattered‐light halo caused by Uranus. The Two‐Micron All‐Sky Survey (2MASS) and USNO‐B1.0 were used as reference catalogues. The mean value of the differences between the equatorial coordinates of the satellites determined with 2MASS and USNO‐B1.0 is close to 200 mas. A comparison of the observed equatorial coordinates of the satellites and their relative positions with ephemerides based on different combinations of theories of motion of Uranus and its satellites (DE405+GUST86, DE405+GUST06, INPOP+GUST86, INPOP+GUST06) was performed. The satellites' positions obtained with respect to 2MASS are in better agreement with theories. The values of (O−C) of the equatorial coordinates determined with the 2MASS are mainly less than 100 mas. The majority of (O−C) of relative positions are within ±50 mas. The mean values of the standard errors of (O−C) are within 20 to 60 mas.