The AUSTRAL VLBI observing program

• DOI: 10.1007/s00190-016-0949-y
• Publication Date: 2016-11-10T04:24:02Z
• Authors: L. Plank; J. E. J. Lovell; J. N. McCallum; D. Mayer; C. Reynolds; J. Quick; S. Weston; O. Titov; S. S. Shabala; J. Böhm; T. Natusch; M. Nickola; S. Gulyaev
• Keywords: Very-long-baseline interferometry; Astrometry; Baseline (sea); Polar motion

The AUSTRAL observing program was started in 2011, performing geodetic and astrometric very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) sessions using the new Australian AuScope VLBI antennas at Hobart, Katherine, Yarragadee, with contribution from Warkworth (New Zealand) 12 m Hartebeesthoek (South Africa) 15 to make a southern hemisphere array of telescopes similar design capability. Designed style next-generation system, these small fast allow for way observing, comprising higher data rates more observations than standard coordinated by International Service Geodesy Astrometry (IVS). In this contribution, continuous development is described, leading an improvement results terms length repeatabilities factor two since start program. focus on scheduling strategy increased number observations, aspects automated operation, logistics, as well 151 performed so far. high makes them important contributor end-products, such terrestrial celestial reference frames Earth orientation parameters. We compare other IVS discuss their suitability determination baselines, station coordinates, source