Gaia is an ESA space astrometry mission due for launch in 2011–12. We describe part of the work carried out in the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium, namely the Astrometric Global Iterative Solution (AGIS) currently being implemented at the European Space Astronomy Center (ESAC) in Spain and largely based on algorithms developed at Lund Observatory. Some provisional results based on simulated observations of one million stars are presented, demonstrating convergence at microarcsec level independent of initial conditions.

The GSC 2.3 is a current catalog release extracted from the Guide Star Catalog II database, which is maintained at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, USA. The catalog contains astrometry, multi-band photometry (BJ, RJ, IN) and star/non-star classification for 945,592,683 objects down to the magnitude limit of the survey plates. We review the performance of stellar parameters, anticipating the improvements in astrometric accuracy foreseen by its recalibration with the newly available catalog in the UCAC series.

We have performed the smoothed particle hydrodynamic (SPH) simulations of collisions between two gas giant planets. Changes in masses of the ice/rock core and the H/He envelope due to the collisions are investigated. The main aim of this study is to constrain the origin and probability of a class of extrasolar hot Jupiters that have much larger cores and/or higher core/envelope mass ratios than those predicted by theories of accretion of gas giant planets. A typical example is HD 149026b. Theoretical models of the interior of HD 149026b (Sato et al. 2005; Fortney et al. 2006; Ikoma et al. 2006) predict that the planet contains a huge core of 50-80 Earth masses relative to the total mass of 110 Earth masses. Our SPH simulations demonstrate that such a gas giant is produced by a collision with an impact velocity of typically more than 2.5 times escape velocity and an impact angle of typically less than 10 degrees, which results in an enormous loss of the envelope gas and complete accretion of both cores.

The Gaia satellite, an ESA cornerstone mission to be launched at the end of the year 2011, will observe a large number of celestial bodies including also small bodies of the solar system. Albeit spread from the inner to the outer regions of the solar system, these are mainly near-Earth objects and main-belt asteroids. All objects brighter than magnitude V ≤ 20 that cross the field of view (i.e. with solar elongation 45° ≤ L ≤ 135°) of the survey-mode scanning telescope will be observed. The mission will provide, over its 5 years duration, high precision photometry and astrometry with an unprecedented accuracy ranging roughly from 0.3 to 3 milli-arcsecond on the CCD level, and depending on the target's magnitude. In addition, several hundreds of QSOs directly observed by Gaia will provide the kinematically non-rotating reference frame in the visible light, resulting in the construction of a ‘Gaia-ICRF’.

The positions of the asteroids hence enable to relate the dynamical reference frame—as defined by the equations of motion—to the kinematic one, and to further check the non-rotating consistency between both frames' definition. Here we show the results of a variance analysis obtained from a realistic simulation of observations for such a link. The simulation takes into account the time sequences and geometry of the observations that are particular to Gaia observations of solar system objects, as well as the instrument sensitivity and photon noise. Additionally, we show the achievable precision for the determination of a possible time variation of the gravitational constant Ġ/G. Taking into account the non-completeness of the actually known population of NEOs, we also give updated values for the nominal precision of the joint determination of the solar quadrupole J2 and PPN parameter β.

The transformation between the International Terrestrial Reference System (ITRS) and the Geocentric Celestial Reference system (GCRS) is an essential part of the models to be used when dealing with Earth's rotation or when computing directions of celestial objects in various systems. The 2000 and 2006 IAU resolutions on reference systems have modified the way the Earth orientation is expressed and adopted high accuracy models for expressing the relevant quantities for the transformation from terrestrial to celestial systems. First, the IAU 2000 Resolutions have refined the definition of the astronomical reference systems and transformations between them and adopted the IAU 2000 precession-nutation. Then, the IAU 2006 Resolutions have adopted a new precession model that is consistent with dynamical theories and have addressed definition, terminology or orientation issues relative to reference systems and time scales that needed to be specified after the adoption of the IAU 2000 resolutions. These in particular provide a refined definition of the pole (the Celestial intermediate pole, CIP) and the origin (the Celestial intermediate origin, CIO) on the CIP equator as well as a rigorous definition of sidereal rotation of the Earth. These also allow an accurate realization of the celestial intermediate system linked to the CIP and the CIO that replaces the classical celestial system based on the true equator and equinox of date. This talk explains the changes resulting from the joint IAU 2000/2006 resolutions and reviews the consequences on the concepts, nomenclature, models and conventions in fundamental astronomy that are suitable for modern and future realizations of reference systems. Realization of the celestial intermediate reference system ensuring a micro-arc-second accuracy is detailed.

As of today more than 30 planetary systems have been discovered in binary stars. In all cases the configuration is circumstellar, where the planets orbit around one of the stars. The formation process of planets in binary stars is more difficult than around single stars due to the gravitational action of the companion. An overview of the research done in this field will be given. The dynamical influence that a secondary companion has on a circumstellar disk, and how this affects the planet formation process in this challenging environment will be summarized. Finally, new fully hydrodynamical simulations of protoplanets embedded in disks residing in a binary star will be presented. Applications with respect to the planet orbiting the primary in the system γ Cephei will be presented.

In this communication we review some properties and applications of mean-motion resonances in extrasolar planetary systems, with particular emphasis on the 2/1 commensurability. A first part is devoted to the dynamical structure of the 2/1 resonance, including (but not restricted to) the so-called apsidal corotations. In a second part we discuss the orbital evolution of resonant systems under the effects of non-conservative forces. Special attention is given to the use of apsidal corotations as markers of largescale orbital decay, possibly due to disk-planet interactions in primordial times. Finally, we analyze the interplay between dynamical analysis and orbital fitting. Using the HD82943 planetary system as an example, we discuss: (i) up to what point present orbital fits allow us to distinguish between different resonant configurations, and (ii) in what ways may the dynamical structure of resonances be used as a complementary part of the orbital fitting process.

The VLBA is now achieving parallaxes and proper motions with accuracies approaching the micro-arcsecond domain. The apparent proper motion of Sgr A*, which reflects the orbit of the Sun around the Galactic center, has been measured with high accuracy. This measurement strongly constrains Θ0/R0 and offers a dynamical definition of the Galactic plane with Sgr A*at its origin. The intrinsic motion of Sgr A*is very small and comparable to that expected for a supermassive black hole. Trigonometric parallaxes and proper motions for a number of massive star forming regions (MSFRs) have now been measured. For almost all cases, kinematic distances exceed the true distances, suggesting that the Galactic parameters, R0 and Θ0, are inaccurate. Solutions for the Solar Motion are in general agreement with those obtained from Hipparcos data, except that MSFRs appear to be rotating slower than the Galaxy. Finally, the VLBA has been used to measure extragalactic proper motions and to map masers in distant AGN accretion disks, which will yield direct estimates of H0.

We review our work on Galactic open clusters in recent years, and introduce our proposed large program for the LOCS (LAMOST Open Cluster Survey). First, based on the most complete open clusters sample with metallicity, age and distance data as well as kinematic information, some preliminary statistical analysis regarding the spatial and metallicity distributions is presented. In particular, a radial abundance gradient of −0.058±0.006 dex kpc−1 is derived. By dividing clusters into the age groups we show that the disk abundance gradient was steeper in the past. Secondly, proper motions, membership probabilities, and velocity dispersions of stars in the regions of two very young open clusters are derived. Both clusters show clear evidence of mass segregation, which provides support for the “primordial” mass segregation scenario. Based on the advantages of the forthcoming LAMOST facility, we have proposed a detailed open cluster survey with LAMOST (the LOCS). The aim, feasibility, and the present development of the LOCS are briefly summarized.

Comparing the tropospheric zenith delays derived from VLBI and GPS data at VLBA stations collocated with GPS antenna, the systematic biases and standard deviations of the difference are both found to be at the level of a sub-centimeter. Based on this agreement, we used GPS data to correct the tropospheric effects in VLBI phase-referencing, resulting in close peak-to-noise ratios of images after tropospheric correction using GPS and VLBI data.

Based on past astrometric and geodetic VLBI observations, a strategy for implementing differential VLBI (DVLBI) is developed by interpolating the non-geometric delay (NGD) at the target's direction using observations of several reference sources spreaded out within a circular ring centered on the target. In contrast to the ordinary approach, in our design the limitations in the angular distance are relaxed and the effects of observational uncertainties in reference sources are reduced. Analysis shows that in our design a precision of the NGD correction in S-band reaches about 1ns only. Our design can be adopted for observations of weak sources and in deep space exploration.

Astrometric binaries are both a gold mine and a nightmare. They are a gold mine because they are sometimes the unique source of orbital inclination for spectroscopic binaries, thus making it possible for astrophysicists to get some clues about the mass of the often invisible secondary. However, this is an ideal situation in the sense that one benefits from the additional knowledge that it is a binary for which some orbital parameters are somehow secured (e.g. the orbital period). On the other hand, binaries are a nightmare, especially when their binary nature is not established yet. Indeed, in such cases, depending on the time interval covered by the observations compared to the orbital period, either the parallax or the proper motion can be severely biased if the successive positions of the binary are modelled assuming it is a single star. With large survey campaigns sometimes monitoring some stars for the first time ever, it is therefore crucial to design robust reduction pipelines in which such troublesome objects are quickly identified and either removed or processed accordingly. Finally, even if an object is known not to be a single star, the binary model might turn out not to be the most appropriate for describing the observations. These different situations will be covered.

The main optical instruments of the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) are installed separately. Guiding is realized by adjusting the normal direction of the mirror MA. In order to keep the central star imaged on the rotation center of the fiber plug plate, the link between celestial and fiber plug plate coordinate systems has to be established. Some local parameters contain errors so that the normal direction of the MA calculated beforehand may not be accurate enough. The execution error of the telescope also drives the image of the central star to deviate from the rotation center. Therefore, in the process of observations the correction has to be calculated and applied periodically. Here we present the method of calculating the guiding parameters as well as the correction parameters for the LAMOST.

Interferometry in the near IR aims at providing imaging resolution on the mas scale, and astrometry at the few μas level, from ground based infrastructures using current telescope technology. To take advantage of simultaneous combination of four to eight telescopes, an international consortium is proposing to ESO the development of the VLTI Spectro-Imager. One of the key sub-systems, to measure and correct the atmospheric perturbations relative to the beam phase, is the fringe tracker, aimed at providing the science combiner with long, stable observing conditions. The fringe tracker function in interferometer is equivalent to adaptive optics for conventional telescopes. The fringe tracker concept under study, using minimum redundancy combination and bulk optics, is described.

On a daily basis the Gaia telemetry data (some 30 GB) must be stored and treated in order to reconstruct the actual observations. This initial data treatment processes all newly arrived telemetry and various pieces of auxiliary data. The first part of the process is merely a reformatting to create raw objects for permanent storage in the raw data base (some 40 TB at the end of the mission). The next part is to analyze the data to derive initial values for the observables, e.g. transit times and fluxes, producing intermediate objects. Finally, the intermediate objects are matched with sources in the data base, linking all the observations of a given source.

To check the initial data treatment algorithm we use simulations of the telemetry stream provided by GASS, the Gaia System Simulator. GASS simulates astrometric, photometric and radial velocity data, using models of the satellite and on-board instruments, as well as the models of different of objects observed by Gaia (stars, galaxies, solar system objects, . . .). On the other hand, the initial data treatment allows us to validate the data generated by GASS, which are used too to check other algorithms like the First Look or the Astrometric Global Iterative Solution (AGIS).

Japan Astrometry Satellite Mission for Infrared Exploration (JASMINE) aims to construct a map of the Galactic bulge with a 10 μas accuracy. We use z-band CCD or K-band array detector to avoid dust absorption, and observe about 10 × 20 degrees area around the Galactic bulge region.

In this poster, we show the observation strategy, reduction scheme, and error budget. We also show the basic design of the software for the end-to-end simulation of JASMINE, named JASMINE Simulator.

To achieve maximum planet yield for a given radial velocity survey, the observing strategy must be carefully considered. In particular, the adopted cadence can greatly affect the sensitivity to exoplanetary parameters such as period and eccentricity. Here we describe simulations which aim to maximise detections based upon the target parameter space of the survey.

The polynomial-fit method is applied to remove the uneven background of a satellite when it is near a bright primary object. Detailed analysis of this method is given. Some useful conclusions are drawn from the results of simulated data.

A test case comparison is presented for different dust cloud model approaches applied in brown dwarfs and giant gas planets. We aim to achieve more transparency in evaluating the uncertainty inherent to theoretical modelling. We show in how far model results for characteristic dust quantities vary due to different assumptions. We also demonstrate differences in the spectral energy distributions resulting from our individual cloud modelling in 1D substellar atmosphere simulations.

The concordance Cold Dark Matter model for the formation of structure in the Universe, while remarkably successful at describing observations on large scales, has a number of problems on galactic scales. The Milky Way and its satellite system provide a key laboratory for exploring dark matter (DM) in this regime, but some of the most definitive tests of local DM await microarcsecond astrometry, such as will be delivered by the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM Planetquest). I discuss several tests of Galactic DM enabled by future microarcsecond astrometry.