Issue |
A&A
Volume 462, Number 1, January IV 2007
|
|
---|---|---|
Page(s) | 371 - 377 | |
Section | Celestial mechanics and astrometry | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20054320 | |
Published online | 24 October 2006 |
Relativistic effects on imaging by a rotating optical system*
1
Departament d'Astronomia i Meteorologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 647, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
2
Lohrmann Observatory, Dresden Technical University, Mommsenstr. 13, 01062 Dresden, Germany
Received:
7
October
2005
Accepted:
29
September
2006
Context.High accuracy astrometric instruments like Gaia aiming at an accuracy of 1 microarcsecond cannot be considered as point-like observers in the framework of relativistic modelling of observable quantities.
Aims.Special-relativistic effects on the imaging by a non-point-like arbitrarily moving optical instrument are discussed.
Methods.A special-relativistic reflection law for a mirror of arbitrary shape and motion is derived in the limit of geometrical optics. The aberration patterns are computed with ray tracing using a full special-relativistic model for two simple rotating optical instruments.
Results.The effect of special-relativistic reflection law on
the photocenters of the aberration patterns of an optical system rotating
with a moderate angular velocity of may be at the
level of 1 microarcsecond if the system involves mirrors significantly
inclined relative to the optical axis.
Conclusions.Special-relativistic optical modelling of future astrometric instruments is indispensable if a level of a few microarcseconds is envisaged.
Key words: astrometry / reference systems / relativity
© ESO, 2007
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