An analysis of Bordeaux meridian transit circle observations of planets and satellites (1997–2007)

¹ Institut de Mécanique Céleste et de Calcul des Ephémérides, 77 avenue Denfert Rochereau, 75014 Paris, UMR 8028 du CNRS, USTL, UPMC, France e-mail: arlot@imcce.fr
² Université Bordeaux 1, Observatoire Aquitain des Sciences de l'Univers, Laboratoire d'Astronomie de Bordeaux, UMR 5804 du CNRS, 2 avenue de l'Observatoire, 33270 Floirac, France e-mail: dourneau@obs.u-bordeaux1.fr

Received: 29 November 2007
Accepted: 12 February 2008

Abstract

Context. Meridian transit circle observations of the planets and their satellites are regularly performed for ephemerides improvement. Some were performed at the Bordeaux observatory during the period 1997–2007.

Aims. This paper presents these observations and analyses the data to determine the accuracy of the observations, their interest for dynamical purposes and compares them with the dynamical models of the observed objects.

Methods. For the determination of the positions of the planets, the observations of their satellites have been used, providing pseudo observations of the planets. The method is tested.

Results. The results show the interest of continuing this type of observation. Residuals show what ephemerides have to be improved using the present data.