Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Shelus, Peter J..
Here, we review the LLR technique focusing on its impact on Geodesy and Relativity. We discuss the modem observational accuracy and the level of existing LLR modeling. We present the near-term objectives and emphasize improvements needed to fully utilize the scientific potential of LLR.
At McDonald Observatory, we have undertaken a major program of observation of Comet P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 in order to charcterize the dynamics and physical make-up of the fragments prior to their disappearance in July 1994 when they collide with Jupiter. Obserations have included astrometry, photometry, and spectroscopy. Our astrometric observations have been important for deriving accurate orbits for the individual fragments. With the photometry, we have derived (B-V) and (V-R) colors for a number of fragemnts. We show that they are slightly redder than the Sun in (B-V) and similar to the Sun in (V-R); they may show differences in colors for the individual fragments. We detected no gas with our spectroscopic observations and have derived sensitive upper limits on the quantity of gas. Our observations are consistent with the parent being a comet, as classified, but cannot rule out certain types of asteroids as progenitors.
Astrometric positions for the faint outer Jovian satellites VI-XIII during the 1993 opposition have been obtained from the measurement of plates taken with the 2.1 m Otto Struve reflector at McDonald Observatory.
The filtering of data in a high noise, low signal strength environment is a situation encountered routinely in lunar laser ranging (LLR) and, to a lesser extent, in artificial satellite laser ranging (SLR). The use of Poisson statistics as one of the tools for filtering LLR data is described first in a historical context. The more recent application of this statistical technique to noisy SLR data is also described.
The MLRS has experienced excellent success in its lunar and artificial satellite laser ranging operations during its many years of operation, in spite of its relatively small 'receive' aperture. We continue to strive, however, for a greater volume of data, together with better accuracy and precision. We have just now completed the design, construction, and implementation of a computer controlled x-y offset guiding stage for the MLRS, analogous to the manual one that had been a part of the original 2.7-m lunar laser ranging system on Mt. Locke at McDonald Observatory. In the past, we had been hampered by the lack of a satisfactory hardware design which could fit within the very cramped quarters of the MLRS telescope's tail piece. Recently, with funding support from the U.S. Naval Observatory and the design and construction expertise of DFM Engineering, Inc., a satisfactory instrument has been specified, designed, built, and installed. This instrument will greatly expand MLRS observational opportunities by allowing the observing crews to actively guide on visible off axis lunar surface features or background stars while the on-axis lunar surface retroreflector targets are in the dark. This paper describes this instrument and its present implementation at the MLRS.
Plates obtained with a 2.1-m reflector have been measured to obtain astrometric positions for the faint outer Jovian satellites VI-XIII during their 1990-1991 and 1991-1992 oppositions. The tabulation of positions is topocentric astrometric, in a fixed system of the mean equator and with an equinox of J2000.0.
A multi-faceted effort was maintained to achieve the following goals: (1) provide for state-of-the-art, on-site, near-real-time Earth orientation parameter determinations at levels of precision and accuracy commensurate with a 'quick-look' type of an analysis, using the lunar laser ranging (LLR) data type from the McDonald Laser Ranging Station (MLRS) and other LLR facilities around the world; (2) create a state-of-the-art, highly transportable, LLR-based Earth orientation solution package, which could be easily implemented at LLR facilities other than the MLRS; (3) accommodate, within the routine MLRS lunar range prediction and Earth orientation data analysis software packages, the standard set of Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Solar System ephemerides, lunar librations, and Solar System partial derivatives; and (4) examine, wherever possible, opportunities for the performance of state-of-the-art, on-site, joint, simultaneous, quick-look analysis for Earth orientation parameters, using both MLRS lunar and LAGEOS (and, perhaps, Etalon) ranging observations, as well as from multiple LLR station observations. Excellent results were obtained at all levels of effort and it can be said that all of these goals were attained. The reader is referred to the complete series of our semi-annual reports for a full description of our efforts.
Laser ranging to lunar surface retroreflectors has provided a valuable source of data for the investigation of the lunar orbit, the earth's orientation in space, general relativity, and many other aspects of solar system dynamics. Due to the moon's relatively large distance, and the requirement to keep the beam from the relatively low-power laser very narrow, acquiring this data type requires very accurate telescope pointing and tracking capabilities. The nominal requirement is to keep the telescope on target within approximately 1 arcsec of its predicted location for at least several minutes. An expansion of this requirement and the methods used to accomplish this high precision pointing are presented. Difficulties encountered and a few future goals of automating the McDonald station are also discussed.