Scientific Rationale
During the last IAU General Assembly much progress has been reported in JD7
"Space-time reference systems for future research", and also at the Division 1
meetings. The topics included theoretical aspects of reference systems, requirements
on space-time reference systems for future space missions, advanced dynamical models
for the solar system, time and frequency transfer, Earth rotation modelling, astrometric
catalogues, ephemerides, atomic time, pulsar-based timescale, etc.
Many of these topics have been identified as being important for furthering our
scientific understanding of the issues and will form the core of the discussions during
the Journees. In addition, the various new working groups (ICRS, UTC, pulsar time,
nomenclature, Earth rotation modelling, etc.), which are all relevant to the field of
the Journées, will also have much to contribute.
The scientific programme of the Journées 2013 will include sessions on the
scientific developments in geodesy, astronomy and astrophysics, etc. based on highly
accurate reference frames and time scales. In addition, there will be presentations
and discussions related to the new IAU Division A Working
Groups that have been established at the 28th IAU GA.
Tutorial lectures will be held the day before the beginning of the Journées with the goal of making
our discipline more broadly accessible.
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