Earth rotation parameter and variation during 2005–2010 solved with LAGEOS SLR data

Abstract

Time series of Earth rotation parameters were estimated from range data measured by the satellite laser ranging technique to the Laser Geodynamics Satellites (LAGEOS)-1/2 through 2005 to 2010 using the dynamic method. Compared with Earth orientation parameter (EOP) C04, released by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service, the root mean square errors for the measured X and Y of polar motion (PM) and length of day (LOD) were 0.24 and 0.25 milliarcseconds (mas), and 0.068 milliseconds (ms), respectively. Compared with ILRSA EOP, the X and Y of PM and LOD were 0.27 and 0.30 mas, and 0.054 ms, respectively. The time series were analyzed using the wavelet transformation and least squares methods. Wavelet analysis showed obvious seasonal and interannual variations of LOD, and both annual and Chandler variations of PM; however, the annual variation could not be distinguished from the Chandler variation because the two frequencies were very close. The trends and periodic variations of LOD and PM were obtained in the least squares sense, and PM showed semi-annual, annual, and Chandler periods. Semi-annual, annual, and quasi-biennial cycles for LOD were also detected. The trend rates of PM in the X and Y directions were 3.17 and −1.60 mas per year, respectively, and the North Pole moved to 26.8°E relative to the crust during 2005–2010. The trend rate of the LOD change was 0.028 ms per year.

Keywords

• Geodesy
• Satellite laser range (SLR)
• Earth rotation parameter (ERP)
• Laser Geodynamics Satellites (LAGEOS)
• Earth orientation parameter (EOP)
• Polar motion (PM)
• Length of day (LOD)
• Wavelet transform