IAU North Poles and Rotation Parameters for Natural Satellites

• Published in: Symposium - International Astronomical Union
• Main Author: Lieske, J. H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1993
• Subjects: North Pole
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0074180900173498; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0074180900173498

In 1970 the IAU defined any object's north pole to be that axis of rotation which lies north of the solar system's invariable plane. A competing definition in widespread use at some institutions followed the “right hand rule” whereby the “north” axis of rotation was generally said to be that that of the rotational angular momentum. A Working Group has periodically updated the recommended values of planet and satellite poles and rotation rates in accordance with the IAU definition of north and the IAU definition of prime meridian. In this paper we review the IAU definitions of north and of the location of prime meridian and we present the algorithm which has been employed in determining the rotational parameters of the natural satellites.