Precession, Nutation and Wobble of the Earth

This book describes how changes in the Earth's orientation are observed and computed in terms of tidal forcing and models of the Earth's interior.

V. Dehant (Author), P. M. Mathews (Author)

9781107092549, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 16 April 2015

554 pages, 41 b/w illus. 11 tables
23.5 x 16.2 x 2.1 cm, 0.55 kg

Covering both astronomical and geophysical perspectives, this book describes changes in the Earth's orientation, specifically precession and nutation, and how they are observed and computed in terms of tidal forcing and models of the Earth's interior. Following an introduction to key concepts and elementary geodetic theory, the book describes how precise measurements of the Earth's orientation are made using observations of extra-galactic radio-sources by Very Long Baseline Interferometry techniques. It demonstrates how models are used to accurately pinpoint the location and orientation of the Earth with reference to the stars, and how to determine variations in its rotation speed. A theoretical framework is also presented that describes the role played by the structure and properties of the Earth's deep interior. Incorporating suggestions for future developments in nutation theory for the next generation models, this book is ideal for advanced-level students and researchers in solid Earth geophysics, planetary science and astronomy.

Preface
List of acronyms
1. Introduction, fundamental definitions and motivation
2. Concepts and elementary theory
3. Reference systems and frames
4. Observational techniques: ephemerides
5. Rigid Earth precession and nutation
6. Deformable Earth and Love numbers
7. Nutations of a non-rigid Earth
8. Anelasticity
9. Ocean and atmospheric corrections
10. Refinements of nonrigid nutation
11. Comparison observation-theory
12. Conventions
13. Mars nutations
Appendix A. Rotation representation
Appendix B. Clairaut theory
Appendix C. Definitions of equinoxes
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Popular astronomy & space [WNX], The environment [RN], Earth sciences [RB], Geophysics [PHVG], Fluid mechanics [PHDF], Astronomy, space & time [PG]