Commission 19: Rotation of the Earth

Abstract

The Commission supports and coordinates scientific investigations about Earth rotation and related reference frames. Above all C19 encourages and develops cooperation and collaboration in observation and theoretical studies of Earth orientation (the motions of the pole in the terrestrial and celestial reference systems and the rotation about the pole). The Commission serves the astronomical community by linking it to the official organizations providing the International Terrestrial and Celestial Reference Systems/Frames (ITRS/ITRF and ICRS/ICRF) and Earth orientation parameters (EOP): International Association of Geodesy (IAG), International Earth Rotation and Reference System Service (IERS), International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS), International GNSS Service (IGS), International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS), International DORIS Service (IDS). Among the most important activities are the development of methods for improving the accuracy and understanding of Earth orientation and related reference systems/frames. Further, C19 ensures the agreement and continuity of the reference frames used for Earth orientation with other astronomical reference frames and their densifications and provides means of comparing observational and analysis methods and results to ensure accuracy of data and models.