This document from the Geodetic Observatory Weitzel in Germany describes
the work it does in conjunction with what is known as the Transportable
Integrated Geodetic Observatory (TIGO) which is apparently based in
Concepcion, Chile.
See
http://www.bkg.bund.de/SharedDocs/Do...rochure-EN.pdf
As the above document states, apparently the observatories ...
Quote:
make a significant contribution to the realization of global reference systems,
which include a reference system co-rotating with the earth for the definition of positions
on the earth's surface, the ITRF (International Terrestrial Reference System) and
a space-fixed reference system not rotating with the earth for the definition
of positions in space (e.g. satellite positions, planets, stars, quasars, ...), that is,
the ICRF (International Celestial Reference Frame). Both systems are connected
by the earth's rotation, which is described by a set of earth orientation parameters
(EOPs). Due to permanent mass shifts occurring within the system earth influencing
permanently the earth's torque, the EOPs must be observed continuously.
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The observatories use radiotelescopes and laser ranging instruments.
See
http://www.fs.wettzell.de/tigo/e/tigo_e/tigo_e.html
Quote:
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TIGO is a transportable fundamental station for geodesy. TIGO consists of VLBI and SLR modules as well as of a so called basic service module which comprise a GPS array, atomic clock ensemble, superconducting gravity meter, seismometer, meteorological sensors including a water vapour radiometer and a server for the LAN.
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In light of the story which appeared today which states that the earth's axis
will have shifted an extremely tiny amount as a result of the earthquake in Chile
(see
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=57763)
then it is ironic that one of the observatories involved with this sort of work
is in Concepcion itself, not far from the epicenter.
As communications are down in Concepcion, the TIGO observatories web site appears
not to respond -
http://www.tigo.cl
With the enormous devastation in Concepcion, I can only guess it might be some
time before we learn the fate of this particular observatory.
Re some other observatories in Chile:
