*************************************************************************** Gazette IERS Gazette IERS Gazette IERS Gazette IERS Gazette ________________________________________ No 37, 9 October 1998 / _________________________________/ Contact: iers@obspm.fr ftp: hpiers.obspm.fr (145.238.100.28) WWW: http://hpiers.obspm.fr *************************************************************************** Title : IAU Colloquium 178, Cagliari University Author: Steve Dick -------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION STAZIONE ASTRONOMICA DI CAGLIARI - CARLOFORTE UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI CAGLIARI ********************************************************************* * * * * * IAU Colloquium 178 * * * * * * POLAR MOTION: HISTORICAL AND SCIENTIFIC PROBLEMS * * * * * * Cagliari University, Sardinia,Italy * * * * * * 27-30 September 1999 * * * * * ********************************************************************* FIRST CIRCULAR GENERAL INFORMATION The latest observations of the motion of the Earth's rotation pole with respect to the terrestrial reference frame have achieved not only remarkable accuracy, but these data are now being obtained with subdaily frequency, a situation which was unexpected only a few years ago. These circumstances call into question the very definition of the celestial ephemeris pole. The astronomical observations available from tracking the satellites of the Global Positioning System, laser ranging to geodetic satellites, and very long baseline interferometry, together with ocean and meteorological data of unprecedented accuracy and frequency, may permit new understanding of the excitation of polar motion. These new data, combined with a century of past observations, provide further information on the secular motion of the pole which, in turn, contributes to improved understanding of models for the Earth's interior. The year 1999 marks the centennial of the first observations of the International Latitude Service (ILS). The ILS was organized in 1895 by the forerunner of the International Association of Geodesy and was composed of observing sites on the parallel of 39d 88' North. The goal was to make astronomical observations to describe the motion of the Earth's rotation pole. In 1962 the ILS was renamed the International Polar Motion Service (IPMS) and in 1988 the IPMS was discontinued when the International Earth Rotation Service commenced. During its history the ILS/IPMS provided valuable observations of polar motion which continue to be analyzed today. Many of the questions which the ILS was organized to address still remain, including the enigmatic nature of the excitation and damping of polar motion. The definition of the international celestial and terrestrial reference systems are based on the ILS definition of the pole. Today's precise astronomical and geodetic observations now require a re-definition of that pole to correspond with modern levels of measurement. It is fitting to take the opportunity to mark the centennial of the first ILS observations at one of the original observatories. SCIENTIFIC TOPICS AND CALL FOR PAPERS The Colloquium will include the following topics: - History of early polar motion research - History of the monitoring service organizations - Evolution of astronomical observations - Mechanisms for excitation of polar motion - Secular polar motion - Chandler motion - Daily and subdaily polar motion - Modern definition of the celestial ephemeris pole - Outstanding problems in polar motion research Invited, contributed, and poster papers will be considered. The collected proceedings will be published. Abstracts should be submitted by 10 April 1999 to the chairperson of the SOC, Dr. Steven J. Dick, via e-mail (dick@ariel.usno.navy.mil). Authors will be notified of acceptance by 30 May 1999. SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: S. Dick (USA), chair Address: U.S. Naval Observatory 3450 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20392-5420 U.S.A. G. Beutler (Switzerland) D. McCarthy (USA) N. Capitaine (France) E. Proverbio (Italy) T. Fukushima (Japan) J. Vondrak (Czech Republic) D. Gambis (France) Ya. Yatskiv (Ukraine) The Colloquium is sponsored by IAU Commission 41 (History of Astronomy) with support from Commission 19 (Earth Rotation) and 31 (Time). It is co-sponsored by the International Association of Geodesy, the International Earth Rotation Service, and the International GPS Service. LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: F. Fusi Pecci, co-chair E. Proverbio, co-chair A. Poma P. Calledda C. Pili S. Uras T. Zanzu LOCATION The Conference will be held at the "Cittadella Universitaria", the new settlement of the Cagliari University in the immediate outskirts of the city, from Monday, 28 September through Thursday, 30 September 1999. There will be an organized excursion to the original site of the ILS station at Carloforte, on the little island of S.Pietro, about 90 km from Cagliari. Cagliari, situated on the southern coast at the center of the gulf of the Angels, is the capital of the autonomous region of Sardinia and offers many attractions in the fields of archeology, art, landscape and climate. During the latter part of September the weather is normally warm and sunny (the average temperature is around 24 deg C). The Cagliari-Elmas airport is 7 km from downtown. All the main Italian airports have frequent direct daily flights to Cagliari. In addition several ferry-lines connect Italian ports (Genova, Livorno, Civitavecchia) with Sardinia (Cagliari, Olbia, PortoTorres) daily. A certain number of rooms are reserved at hotels located in the town center. The approximate daily hotel rate is 50-110 US$ per person, including breakfast. The Conference fee will be 140 US$. FURTHER INFORMATION AND DEADLINES The second circular, which will be distributed in February 1999, will contain details concerning submittal of abstracts and logistics. Abstracts will be due no later than 10 April 1999. A limited number of travel grants will be available. Those wishing to apply for such a support are requested to complete and return the attached form to the Chairperson of the SOC to arrive not later than 10 April 1999. In the meantime, the latest information on the colloquium will be posted at the Web site http://www.ca.astro.it/iau178. CONTACT ADDRESS: Local Organizing Committee IAU Colloquium 178 Stazione Astronomica Loc. Poggio dei Pini, Str. 54 09012 Capoterra (Cagliari) ITALY Telephone: ++39.070.725246 Telefax: ++39.070.725425 e-mail : iauco178@ca.astro.it To express interest in attending please fill in and return the enclosed form to the contact address before 10 April 1999. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ IAU Colloquium 178 POLAR MOTION: HISTORICAL AND SCIENTIFIC PROBLEMS Cagliari University, Sardinia, Italy 27-30 September 1999 PRELIMINARY REGISTRATION FORM (To be returned before 10 April 1999) To: Local Organizing Committee IAU Colloquium 178 Stazione Astronomica Loc. Poggio dei Pini, Str.54 O9012 Capoterra (Cagliari) ITALY Telefax: ++ 39.070.725246 E-Mail:iauco178@ca.astro.it FAMILY NAME:......................................................... GIVEN NAME:.......................................................... INSTITUTE:........................................................... MAILING ADDRESS...................................................... ...................................................... TELEPHONE: .......................................................... FAX:................................................................. E-MAIL:.............................................................. I plan to attend the Conference ( ) yes ( ) no I intend to contribute an oral talk ( ) yes ( ) no I intend to present a poster ( ) yes ( ) no ------------------------------------------------------------------------ IAU Colloquium 178 POLAR MOTION: HISTORICAL AND SCIENTIFIC PROBLEMS Cagliari University, Sardinia, Italy 27-30 September 1999 APPLICATION FOR TRAVEL GRANT (To be returned before 10 April 1999) To: Dr. Steven J. Dick U.S. Naval Observatory 3450 Massachusetts Ave.,NW Washington D.C. 20392-5420 U.S.A. Telefax: ++ 202.762.1516 E-Mail:dick@ariel.usno.navy.mil Name of applicant:.................................................... Nationality: ..........................Position:...................... Mailing Address:...................................................... ...................................................... Telephone:.......................Telefax:............................. E-mail:............................................................... Starting point of journey:............................................ (if different from home address): Type of contribution:................................................. (e.g. review talk, thesis presentation, ...) Title of contribution:................................................ ................................................ Total amount of IAU support applied for (in CHF)...................... Subtotal for travel (max.: economy air fare or equivalent):........... Subtotal for subsistence (if no other funds available):............... Other sources of support applied to:.................................. Amount requested/granted:............................................. Signature of applicant: ................Date and place:............... For Ph.D. students: Signature of Thesis Director/Supervisor:......................... Institution:..................................................... --------------------------------------------------------------------------