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        Gazette IERS Gazette IERS Gazette IERS Gazette IERS Gazette

        No 01, 18 April 1996
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	Title:   1996 IERS Workshop and associated meetings
	Authors: Christoph Reigber, Martine Feissel

   The 1996 IERS Workshop and other Working Group meetings are planned to 
take place at Paris Observatory, between 7 and 18 October 1996.

1 - 1996 IERS WORKSHOP: Monday 14 (pm) through Wednesday 16 Oct. 
   
   The IERS Directing Board decided to devote the next IERS Workshop to the
review of current missions and the study of their possible extension.

   IERS has realized a major breakthrough by establishing, monitoring and 
making available unified celestial and terrestrial references and by setting 
an effective cooperation between the techniques that monitor the Earth's 
rotation. However the world is changing rapidly, with at the same time new 
global Earth science programs being operated and increased constraints on 
the budgets provided by the sponsoring agencies. This makes it necessary to 
evaluate  the ability of the IERS organisation to face these new conditions. 

   The vitality of the IERS could be enhanced by placing it closer to those 
scientific areas that command the highest priority for studying the global 
climate change and for mitigation of natural hazards. One would consider 
how to reform the IERS, without seriously abridging its present services, 
so that it encompassed those reference frames areas that are associated
with ocean circulation, sea level, crustal deformation and geopotential
fields. Another possible extension of IERS activity is the monitoring
of geophysical fluids that influence the Earth's rotation, like the oceans, 
or the global water balance.

   In this broader context, the technical and operational requirements for 
fulfilling the current and possible new missions should also be considered.
One may also consider restructuring the IERS so that it played a more 
active role in advocating and coordinating programs, both ground and space, 
that addressed these challenging scientific problems. 

   The main objective of the Workshop is to elaborate a clear vision of the 
role of the IERS in the future. Equally important, a documented plan, 
including action for effecting the agreed upon changes to the IERS and its 
services will result from the Workshop. 

   The attendance to the Workshop will be by invitation. The participation 
should cover the scientific, technical and organisational aspects, as well 
as ensure international balance.

2 - ASSOCIATED MEETINGS  

    Monday 7 Oct (pm)- 
    Tuesday 8 Oct:      IAU Working Group on Reference Frames 
                        (Chair: Leslie Morrison)

    Wednesday 9 Oct (pm)-
    Thursday 10 Oct:    IERS/ITRF Workshop 
        
    Friday 11 Oct:      IERS/EOP Technical Discussions
    
    Monday 14 Oct (am): IERS Directing Board meeting
    
    Thursday 17 Oct:    CSTG Workshop (Chair: Gerhard Beutler) 
                        IGS Governing Board meeting (Chair: Gerhard Beutler)
                                
    Friday 18 Oct (am): IERS Directing Board meeting 
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