PADC Vocabulary: Reference Frames

This is the description of the vocabulary http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe as of 2024-06-13.

The previous version is available at http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe/2023-11-29.

This vocabulary is not yet approved by the IVOA. This means that terms can still disappear without prior notice.

A collection of reference frames in common use in astronomy, organised by top-level categories (equatorial, galactic, etc). These concepts are used in VOTable's COOSYS, in SimpleDALRegExt's PosParam type, and of course in the Coords data model. Where no more precise reference are given, http://www.iaufs.org/res.html is often of help. This version includes the terms from the IHDEA community.

TermLabelDescriptionParentMore
67PCG_CSO (Preliminary)Comet solar orbital centered on comet 67P/Churyumov–GerasimenkoThe 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko Comet solar orbital frame is defined as a two-vector style dynamic frames as follows: - The position of the sun relative to 67P is the primary vector: the X axis points from the comet to the sun. - The inertially referenced velocity of the sun relative to 67P is the secondary vector: the Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the X axis. - The Z axis is X cross Y, completing the right-handed reference frame.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarOrbitalFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#Comet67PCenteredFrame
67PCG_EME (Preliminary)J2000 centered on comet 67PSame as #EME, but centered on comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenkohttp://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#Comet67PCenteredFrame
AZ_EL (Preliminary)Azimuth/elevationLocal azimuth and elevation. (Ground-based observations; Azimuth from North through East.)
BODY (Preliminary)Body CoordinatesGeneric bodycentric coordinates. Data annotated in this way cannot be automatically combined with any other data. Use or create more specific terms if at all possible.
CPHIO (Preliminary)Callisto Phi-OmegaIn this Cartesian coordinate system, X is along the flow direction, Y is along the Callisto-Jupiter vector, and Z is along the spin axis. These coordinates are analogous to the earth-centered GSE coordinates that relate to the direction of flow of the solar wind onto Earth's environment.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#CallistoCenteredFrame
CallistoCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Callisto Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Callisto's center of mass.
Comet1PCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Comet 1P/Halley Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Comet 1P/Halley center of mass.
Comet26PCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup center of mass.
Comet67PCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko commet's center of mass.
DIIS (Preliminary)Dione Inter-action coordinate SystemThe Dione Inter-action coordinate System frame is defined as follows: - The inertially referenced velocity of Saturn relative to Dione is the primary vector: +X; - The position of Saturn relative to Dione is the secondary vector: +Y axis points from Dione to Saturn; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Dione's center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#DioneCenteredFrame
DME (Preliminary)Deimos Mean EquatorThe Deimos Mean Equator of Date frame (also known as Deimos Mean Equator and IAU vector of Date frame) is defined as follows : - X-Y plane is defined by the Deimos equator of date, and the +Z axis, primary vector of this frame, is parallel to the Moon's rotation axis of date, pointing toward the North side of the invariant plane; - +X axis is defined by the intersection of the Moon's equator of date with the Earth Mean Equator of J2000; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Deimos' center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#DeimosCenteredFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME
DSE (Preliminary)Deimos-centric Solar EclipticThe Deimos-centric Solar Ecliptic frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Deimos is the primary vector: +X axis points from Moon to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Deimos is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Deimos' center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#DeimosCenteredFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarEclipticFrame
DeimosCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Deimos Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Deimos' center of mass.
DioneCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Dione Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Dione's center of mass.
ECLIPDATE (Preliminary)Earth Mean Ecliptic and EquinoxThe Earth Mean Ecliptic and Equinox of Date frame is defined as follows: - +Z axis is aligned with the north-pointing vector normal to the mean orbital plane of the Earth; - +X axis points along the ''mean equinox'', which is defined as the intersection of the Earth's mean orbital plane with the Earth's mean equatorial plane. It is aligned with the cross product of the north-pointing vectors normal to the Earth's mean equator and mean orbit plane of date; - +Y axis is the cross product of the Z and X axes and completes the right-handed frame; - the origin of this frame is the Earth's center of mass. The mathematical model used to obtain the orientation of the Earth's mean equator and equinox of date frame is the 1976 IAU precession model, built into SPICE. The mathematical model used to obtain the mean orbital plane of the Earth is the 1980 IAU obliquity model, also built into SPICE. The base frame for the 1976 IAU precession model is J2000.
ECLIPJ2000 (Preliminary)Ecliptic coordinates based upon the J2000 frameThe value for the obliquity of the ecliptic at J2000 is taken from of 'Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac' edited by P. Kenneth Seidelmann. University Science Books, 20 Edgehill Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (1992) page 114 equation 3.222-1
ECLIPTIC (Preliminary)EclipticEcliptic coordinates; the ecliptic of J2000.0 is assumed.
EME (Preliminary)Earth Mean Equator and EquinoxThe Earth Mean Equator and Equinox of Date frame is defined as follows: - +Z axis is aligned with the north-pointing vector normal to the mean equatorial plane of the Earth; - +X axis points along the ''mean equinox'', which is defined as the intersection of the Earth's mean orbital plane with the Earth's mean equatorial plane. It is aligned with the cross product of the north-pointing vectors normal to the Earth's mean equator and mean orbit plane of date; - +Y axis is the cross product of the Z and X axes and completes the right-handed frame; - the origin of this frame is the Earth's center of mass.
ENIS (Preliminary)Enceladus Inter-action coordinate SystemThe Moon Inter-action coordinate System frame is defined as follows: - The inertially referenced velocity of Saturn relative to Enceladus is the primary vector: +X; - The position of Saturn relative to Enceladus is the secondary vector: +Y axis points from Moon to Saturn; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Enceladus' center of mass.
EPHIO (Preliminary)Europa Phi-OmegaIn this Cartesian coordinate system, X is along the flow direction, Y is along the Europa-Jupiter vector, and Z is along the spin axis. These coordinates are analogous to the earth-centered GSE coordinates that relate to the direction of flow of the solar wind onto Earth's environment.
EQUATORIAL (Preliminary)EquatorialUmbrella term of all equatorial frames. Only use for old, pre-FK4 equatorial coordinates.
EarthCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Earth Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Earth's center of mass.
FK4 (Preliminary)FK4Positions based on the 4th Fundamental Katalog. If no equinox is defined with this frame, assume B1950.0.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EQUATORIAL
FK5 (Preliminary)FK5Positions based on the 5th Fundamental Katalog. If no equinox is defined with this frame, assume J2000.0. Applications not requiring extremely high precision can identify FK5 at J2000 with ICRS.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EQUATORIAL
GALACTIC (Preliminary)GalacticGalactic coordinates, modern definition: Pole at precisely FK4 B1950 192.25, 27.4, origin at approximately FK4 B1950 265.55, -28.92. See 1960MNRAS.121..123B for details.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#GENERIC_GALACTIC
GALACTIC_I (Preliminary)Old GalacticOld, pre-1958, Galactic coordinates. See 1960MNRAS.121..123B for details.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#GENERIC_GALACTIC
GENERIC_GALACTIC (Preliminary)GalacticUmbrella term for Galactic coordinates. If at all possible, use a more specific term, as historically, many different conventions have been in use.
GPHIO (Preliminary)Ganymede Phi-OmegaIn this Cartesian coordinate system, X is along the flow direction, Y is along the Ganymede-Jupiter vector, and Z is along the spin axis. These coordinates are analogous to the earth-centered GSE coordinates that relate to the direction of flow of the solar wind onto Earth's environment
GRIGGSKELL_CSO (Preliminary)Comet solar orbital centered on GRIGG-SKJELLERUP cometGRIGG-SKJELLERUP Solar Orbital frame is defined as a two-vector style dynamic frames as follows: - The position of the sun relative to the comet is the primary vector: the X axis points from the comet to the sun. - The inertially referenced velocity of the sun relative to the comet is the secondary vector: the Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the X axis. - The Z axis is X cross Y, completing the right-handed reference frame.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarOrbitalFrame
GRIGGSKELL_EME (Preliminary)J2000 centered on Comet 26P/Grigg-SkjellerupSame as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on Comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#Comet26PCenteredFrame
GSE (Preliminary)Geocentric Solar EclipticThe Earth-centric Solar Ecliptic frame is defined as follows : - X-Y plane is defined by the Earth Mean Ecliptic plane of date: the +Z axis, primary vector, is the normal vector to this plane, always pointing toward the North side of the invariant plane; - +X axis is the component of the Earth-Sun vector that is orthogonal to the +Z axis; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is the Sun's center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SunCenteredFrame
GSEQ (Preliminary)Geocentric Solar EquatorialThe Geocentric Solar Equatorial frame is defined as follows : - +X axis is the position of the Sun relative to the Earth; it's the primary vector and points from the Earth to the Sun; - +Z axis is the component of the Sun's north pole of date orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Y axis completes the right-handed reference frame; - the origin of this frame is the Earth's center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EarthCenteredFrame
GSM (Preliminary)Geocentric Solar MagnetosphericA coordinate system where the X axis is from Earth to Sun, Z axis is northward in a plane containing the X axis and the geomagnetic dipole axis. See Russell, 1971 Thus, +X is identical to `#GSE` +X and is the primary, and +Z is the secondary and is the MAG +Z.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EarthCenteredFrame
HALLEY_CSO (Preliminary)Comet solar orbital centered on HALLEY cometHalley comeet solar orbital frame is defined as a two-vector style dynamic frames as follows: - The position of the sun relative to the comet is the primary vector: the X axis points from the comet to the sun. - The inertially referenced velocity of the sun relative to the comet is the secondary vector: the Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the X axis. - The Z axis is X cross Y, completing the right-handed reference frame.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarOrbitalFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#Comet1PCenteredFrame
HALLEY_EME (Preliminary)J2000 centered on HALLEY cometSame as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on Halley comet.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#Comet1PCenteredFrame
HCI (Preliminary)Heliocentric InertialThe Heliocentric Inertial Frame is defined as follows : - X-Y plane is defined by the Sun's equator of epoch J2000: the +Z axis, primary vector, is parallel to the Sun's rotation axis of epoch J2000, pointing toward the Sun's north pole; - +X axis is defined by the ascending node of the Sun's equatorial plane on the ecliptic plane of J2000; - +Y completes the right-handed frame; - the origin of this frame is the Sun's center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SunCenteredFrame
HEE (Preliminary)Heliocentric Earth EclipticThe Heliocentric Earth Ecliptic frame is defined as follows : - X-Y plane is defined by the Earth Mean Ecliptic plane of date, therefore, the +Z axis is the primary vector, and it is defined as the normal vector to the Ecliptic plane that points toward the north pole of date; - +X axis is the component of the Sun-Earth vector that is orthogonal to the +Z axis; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is the Sun's center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SunCenteredFrame
HEEQ (Preliminary)Heliocentric Earth EquatorialThe Heliocentric Earth Equatorial frame is defined as follows: - X-Y plane is the solar equator of date, therefore, the +Z axis is the primary vector and it is aligned to the Sun's north pole of date; - +X axis is defined by the intersection between the Sun equatorial plane and the solar central meridian of date as seen from the Earth. The solar central meridian of date is defined as the meridian of the Sun that is turned toward the Earth. Therefore, +X axis is the component of the Sun-Earth vector that is orthogonal to the +Z axis; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is the Sun's center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SunCenteredFrame
IAU_EARTH (Preliminary)Earth-centered Body-Fixed FrameIAU Frame for the Earth.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EarthCenteredFrame
IAU_JUPITER (Preliminary)Jupiter-centered Body-Fixed FrameIAU Frame for Jupiter.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#JupiterCenteredFrame
IAU_MARS (Preliminary)Mars-centered Body-Fixed FrameIAU Frame for Mars.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#MarsCenteredFrame
IAU_MERCURY (Preliminary)Mercury-centered Body-Fixed FrameIAU Frame for Mercury.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#MercuryCenteredFrame
IAU_MOON (Preliminary)Moon-Centered Body-Fixed FrameIAU Frame for the Moon (Earth natural satellite).http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#MoonCenteredFrame
IAU_NEPTUNE (Preliminary)Neptune-centered Body-Fixed FrameIAU Frame for Neptune.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#NeptuneCenteredFrame
IAU_PLUTO (Preliminary)Pluto-centered Body-Fixed FrameIAU Frame for Pluto.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#PlutoCenteredFrame
IAU_SATURN (Preliminary)Saturn-centered Body-Fixed FrameIAU Frame for Saturn.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SaturnCenteredFrame
IAU_SUN (Preliminary)Sun-centered Body-Fixed FrameIAU Frame for the Sun.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SunCenteredFrame
IAU_URANUS (Preliminary)Uranus-centered Body-Fixed FrameIAU Frame for Uranus.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#UranusCenteredFrame
IAU_VENUS (Preliminary)Venus-centered Body-Fixed FrameIAU Frame for Venus.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#VenusCenteredFrame
ICRS (Preliminary)ICRSInternational Celestial Reference System as defined by 1998AJ....116..516M.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarSystemCenteredFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EQUATORIAL
IPHIO (Preliminary)Io Phi-OmegaIn this Cartesian coordinate system, X is along the flow direction, Y is along the Io-Jupiter vector, and Z is along the spin axis. These coordinates are analogous to the earth-centered GSE coordinates that relate to the direction of flow of the solar wind onto Earth's environment.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#IoCenteredFrame
IoCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Io Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Io's center of mass.
J2000 (Preliminary)Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EarthCenteredFrame
JECLIP (Preliminary)ECLIPJ2000 centered on JupiterSame as `#ECLIPJ2000` but centered on Jupiter. The value for the obliquity of the ecliptic at J2000 is taken from of 'Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac' edited by P. Kenneth Seidelmann. University Science Books, 20 Edgehill Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (1992) page 114 equation 3.222-1http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EarthCenteredFrame
JEME (Preliminary)J2000 centered on JupiterSame as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000), but centered on Jupiterhttp://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#JupiterCenteredFrame
JSM (Preliminary)Jovian Solar MagnetosphericA coordinate system where the X axis is from Jupiter to Sun, Z axis is northward in a plane containing the X axis and the Jovian dipole axis. Dipole is 159 longitude and 80 latitude.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#JupiterCenteredFrame
JSO (Preliminary)Jovian Solar OrbitalThe Jupiter Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Jupiter is the primary vector: +X axis points from Jupiter to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Jupiter is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Jupiter center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#JupiterCenteredFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarOrbitalFrame
JupiterCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Jupiter Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Jupiter's center of mass.
KECLIP (Preliminary)ECLIPJ2000 centered on SaturnSame as #ECLIPJ2000 but centered on Saturn. The value for the obliquity of the ecliptic at J2000 is taken from of 'Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac' edited by P. Kenneth Seidelmann. University Science Books, 20 Edgehill Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (1992) page 114 equation 3.222-1 http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SaturnCenteredFrame
KEME (Preliminary)J2000 centered on SaturnSame as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000), but centered on Saturn.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SaturnCenteredFrame
KSM (Preliminary)Kronian Solar MagnetosphericA coordinate system where the X axis is from Saturn to Sun, Z axis is northward in a plane containing the X axis and the Kronian dipole axis. NB: Some sources refers magnetic dipole at 180 degrees longitude, 89.99 degrees latitude in the #IAU_SATURN frame. Other source make assume that the dipole axis is parallel to the spin axis.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SaturnCenteredFrame
KSO (Preliminary)Kronian Solar OrbitalThe Saturn Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Saturn is the primary vector: +X axis points from Saturn to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Saturn is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Saturn center of mass. http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SaturnCenteredFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarOrbitalFrame
LME (Preliminary)Moon Mean EquatorThe Moon Mean Equator of Date frame (also known as Moon Mean Equator and IAU vector of Date frame) is defined as follows : - X-Y plane is defined by the Moon equator of date, and the +Z axis, primary vector of this frame, is parallel to the Moon's rotation axis of date, pointing toward the North side of the invariant plane; - +X axis is defined by the intersection of the Moon's equator of date with the Earth Mean Equator of J2000; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Moon's center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#MoonCenteredFrame
LSE (Preliminary)Selenocentric Solar EclipticThe Moon-centric Solar Ecliptic frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Moon is the primary vector: +X axis points from Moon to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Moon is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Moon's center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#MoonCenteredFrame
LUTETIA_CSO (Preliminary)Solar orbital centered on asteroid LUTETIALutetia solar orbital frame is defined as a two-vector style dynamic frames as follows: - The position of the sun relative to the comet is the primary vector: the X axis points from the asteroid to the Sun. - The inertially referenced velocity of the sun relative to the asteroid is the secondary vector: the Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the X axis. - The Z axis is X cross Y, completing the right-handed reference frame.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#LutetiaCenteredFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarOrbitalFrame
LUTETIA_EME (Preliminary)J2000 centered on asteroid LUTETIASame as `#EME` (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on LUTETIA.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#LutetiaCenteredFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME
LutetiaCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Lutetia Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Lutetia's center of mass.
MAG (Preliminary)Earth Geomagnetic coordinate system Geomagnetic - geocentric. Z axis is parallel to the geomagnetic dipole axis, positive north. X is in the plane defined by the Z axis and the Earth's rotation axis. If N is a unit vector from the Earth's center to the north geographic pole, the signs of the X and Y axes are given by Y = N x Z, X = Y x Z.. See Russell, 1971 The implementation of this frame is complicated in that the definition of the IGRF dipole is a function of time and the IGRF model cannot be directly incorporated into Spice. However, Spice does allow one to define time dependent Euler angles. Meaning, you can define an Euler angle that rotates GEO to MAG for a given ephemeris time t: V = r(t) * V GEI MAG where r(t) is a time dependent Euler angle representation of a rotation. Spice allows for the time dependence to be represented by a polynomial expansion. This expansion can be fit using the IGRF model, thus representing the IGRF dipole axis. IGRF-11 (the 11th version) was fit for the period of 1990-2020, which should encompass the mission and will also make this kernel useful for performing Magnetic dipole frame transformations for the 1990's and the 2000's. However, IGRF-11 is not as accurate for this entire time interval. The years between 1945-2005 are labeled definitive, although only back to 1990 was used in the polynomial fit. 2005-2010 is provisional, and may change with IGRF-12. 2010-2015 was only a prediction. Beyond 2015, the predict is so far in the future as to not be valid. So to make the polynomials behave nicely in this region (in case someone does try to use this frame during that time), the 2015 prediction was extended until 2020. So for low precision, this kernel can be used for the years 2015-2020. Any times less than 1990 and greater than 2020 were not used in the fit, and therefore may be vastly incorrect as the polynomials may diverge outside of this region. These coefficients will be refit when IGRF-12 is released. Also, since the rest of the magnetic dipole frames are defined from this one, similar time ranges should be used for those frames. Definitive Provisional Predict Not Valid |------------------------------|+++++++++++|###########|???????????| 1990 2005 2010 2015 2020 In addition to the error inherit in the model itself, the polynomial expansion cannot perfectly be fit the IGRF dipole. The maximum error on the fit is .2 milliradians, or .01 degrees. The MAG frame is achieved by first rotating the GEO frame about Z by the longitude degrees, and then rotating about the Y axis by the amount of latitude. This matches the new frame to Russell's definition.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EarthCenteredFrame
MECLIP (Preliminary)ECLIPJ2000 centered on MercurySame as #ECLIPJ2000 but centered on Mercury. The value for the obliquity of the ecliptic at J2000 is taken from of 'Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac' edited by P. Kenneth Seidelmann. University Science Books, 20 Edgehill Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (1992) page 114 equation 3.222-1http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#MercuryCenteredFrame
MEME (Preliminary)J2000 centered on MercurySame as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on Mercury.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#MercuryCenteredFrame
MESE (Preliminary)Mercury-centric Solar EclipticThe Mercury-centric Solar Ecliptic frame is defined as follows: - X-Y plane is defined by the Earth Mean Ecliptic plane of date: the +Z axis, primary vector, is the normal vector to this plane,always pointing toward the North side of the invariant plane; - +X axis is the component of the Mercury-Sun vector that is orthogonal to the +Z axis; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is the Sun's center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#MercuryCenteredFrame
MESEQ (Preliminary)Mercury-centric Solar EquatorialThe Mercury-centric Solar Equatorial frame is defined as follows : - +X axis is the position of the Sun relative to the Mercury; it's the primary vector and points from the Mercury to the Sun; - +Z axis is the component of the Sun's north pole of date orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Y axis completes the right-handed reference frame; - the origin of this frame is the Mercury's center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#MercuryCenteredFrame
MESO (Preliminary)Mercury-centric Solar OrbitalThe Mercury Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Mercury is the primary vector: +X axis points from Mercury to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Mercury is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Mercury center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#MercuryCenteredFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarOrbitalFrame
MIIS (Preliminary)Mimas Inter-action coordinate SystemThe Mimas Inter-action coordinate System frame is defined as follows: - The inertially referenced velocity of Saturn relative to Mimas is the primary vector: +X; - The position of Saturn relative to Moon is the secondary vector: +Y axis points from Mimas to Saturn; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Mimas' center of mass. http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#MimasCenteredFrame
MME (Preliminary)Mars Mean EquatorThe Mars Mean Equator of Date frame (also known as Mars Mean Equator and IAU vector of Date frame) is defined as follows: - X-Y plane is defined by the Mars equator of date: the +Z axis, primary vector, is parallel to the Mars' rotation axis of date, pointing toward the North side of the invariant plane; - +X axis is defined by the intersection of the Mars' equator of date with the J2000 equator; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Mars' center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#MarsCenteredFrame
MSO (Preliminary)Mars-centric Solar OrbitalThe Mars Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Mars is the primary vector: +X axis points from Mars to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Mars is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Mars' center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#MarsCenteredFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarOrbitalFrame
MarsCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Mars Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Mars' center of mass.
MercuryCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Mercury Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Mercury's center of mass.
MimasCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Mimas Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Mimas' center of mass.
MoonCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Earth's Moon Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Earth's Moon center of mass.
NECLIP (Preliminary)ECLIPJ2000 centered on NeptuneSame as `#ECLIPJ2000` but centered on Neptune. The value for the obliquity of the ecliptic at J2000 is taken from of 'Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac' edited by P. Kenneth Seidelmann. University Science Books, 20 Edgehill Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (1992) page 114 equation 3.222-1http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#NeptuneCenteredFrame
NEME (Preliminary)J2000 centered on NeptuneSame as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on Neptune.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#NeptuneCenteredFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME
NSO (Preliminary)Neptune-centric Solar Orbital CoordinatesThe Neptune Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Neptune is the primary vector: +X axis points from Neptune to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Neptune is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Neptune center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#NeptuneCenteredFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarOrbitalFrame
NeptuneCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Neptune Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Neptune's center of mass.
PECLIP (Preliminary)ECLIPJ2000 centered on PlutoSame as `#ECLIPJ2000` but centered on Pluto. The value for the obliquity of the ecliptic at J2000 is taken from of 'Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac' edited by P. Kenneth Seidelmann. University Science Books, 20 Edgehill Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (1992) page 114 equation 3.222-1 http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#PlutoCenteredFrame
PEME (Preliminary)EME2000 centered on PlutoSame as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on Pluto.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#PlutoCenteredFrame
PME (Preliminary)Phobos Mean EquatorThe Phobos Mean Equator of Date frame (also known as Phobos Mean Equator and IAU vector of Date frame) is defined as follows : - X-Y plane is defined by the Phobos equator of date, and the +Z axis, primary vector of this frame, is parallel to the Moon's rotation axis of date, pointing toward the North side of the invariant plane; - +X axis is defined by the intersection of the Moon's equator of date with the Earth Mean Equator of J2000; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Phobos' center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#PhobosCenteredFrame
PSE (Preliminary)Phobos-centric Solar EclipticThe Phobos-centric Solar Ecliptic frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Phobos is the primary vector: +X axis points from Moon to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Phobos is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Phobos' center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarEclipticFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#PhobosCenteredFrame
PSO (Preliminary)Pluto-centric Solar Orbital CoordinatesThe Pluto Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Pluto is the primary vector: +X axis points from Pluto to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Pluto is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Pluto center of mass. http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#PlutoCenteredFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarOrbitalFrame
PhobosCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Phobos Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Phobos' center of mass.
PlutoCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Pluto Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Pluto's center of mass.
RHIS (Preliminary)Rhea Inter-action coordinate SystemThe Rhea Inter-action coordinate System frame is defined as follows: - The inertially referenced velocity of Saturn relative to Rhea is the primary vector: +X; - The position of Saturn relative to Rhea is the secondary vector: +Y axis points from Rhea to Saturn; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Rhea's center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#RheaCenteredFrame
RTN (Preliminary)Sun-Spacecraft coordinate systemRTN Frame is defined as follows: - R is positive from the Sun to the spacecraft. - T is omega cross R, where omega is the sun spin axis. - N is R cross T, which completes the right-handed system. This frame assumes the instantaneous center is located at the Sun, and not the spacecraft. Further, the axes are associated with the normal X, Y, and Z in the following manner: - R -> X - T -> Y - N -> Z
RTP (Preliminary)Planet-Spacecraft coordinate systemThe RTP frame is defined as follows: - R is positive from the Planet to the spacecraft. - T is omega cross R, where omega is the planet spin axis. - P is R cross T, which completes the right-handed system. This frame assumes the instantaneous center is located at planet and not the spacecraft. Further, the axes are associated with the normal X, Y, and Z in the following manner: - R -> X - Theta -> Y - Phi -> Z
RheaCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Rhea Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Rhea's center of mass.
SM (Preliminary)Solar Magnetic coordinatesA geocentric coordinate system where the Z axis is northward along Earth's dipole axis, X axis is in plane of z axis and Earth-Sun line, positive sunward. See Russell, 1971. Thus, this is much like #GSM, except that now the +Z axis is the primary, meaning it is parallel to the dipole vector, and +X is the secondary. Since the X-Z plane is the same as #GSM's X-Z plane, the Y axis is the same as #GSM.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EarthCenteredFrame
STEINS_CSO (Preliminary)Solar orbital centered on asteroid STEINSSteins solar orbital frame is defined as a two-vector style dynamic frames as follows: - The position of the sun relative to the asteroid is the primary vector: the X axis points from the comet to the sun. - The inertially referenced velocity of the sun relative to the asteroid is the secondary vector: the Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the X axis. - The Z axis is X cross Y, completing the right-handed reference frame.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SteinsCenteredFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarOrbitalFrame
STEINS_EME (Preliminary)J2000 centered on asteroid STEINSSame as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on STEINS.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SteinsCenteredFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME
SUPER_GALACTIC (Preliminary)SupergalacticSupergalactic coordinates (pole at GALACTIC 47.37, +6.32, origin at GALACTIC 137.37, 0.
SYSTEM_3 (Preliminary)Jupiter-centered Body-Fixed FrameSame as #IAU_JUPITER.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#JupiterCenteredFrame
SaturnCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Saturn Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Saturn's center of mass.
SolarEclipticFrame (Preliminary)Body-related Solar Ecliptic FrameReference frame defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to the body is the primary vector: +X axis points from the body to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to the body is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is the body center of mass. This frame is used for when the body is orbiting in the ecliptic plane.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarOrbitalFrame
SolarOrbitalFrame (Preliminary)Body-related Solar Orbital FrameReference frame defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to the body is the primary vector: +X axis points from the body to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to the body is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is the body center of mass.
SolarSystemCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Solar System Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Solar System's center of mass.
SteinsCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Asteroid (2867) Steins Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Asteroid (2867) Steins' center of mass.
SunCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Sun Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Sun's center of mass.
TEIS (Preliminary)Tethys Inter-action coordinate SystemThe Tethys Inter-action coordinate System frame is defined as follows: - The inertially referenced velocity of Saturn relative to Tethys is the primary vector: +X; - The position of Saturn relative to Moon is the secondary vector: +Y axis points from Tethys to Saturn; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Tethys' center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#TethysCenteredFrame
TIIS (Preliminary)Titan Inter-action coordinate SystemThe Titan Inter-action coordinate System frame is defined as follows: - The inertially referenced velocity of Saturn relative to Titan is the primary vector: +X; - The position of Saturn relative to Titan is the secondary vector: +Y axis points from Titan to Saturn; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Titan's center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#TitanCenteredFrame
TethysCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Tethys Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Tethys's center of mass.
TitanCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Titan Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Titan's center of mass.
UECLIP (Preliminary)ECLIPJ2000 centered on UranusSame as `#ECLIPJ2000` but centered on Uranus. The value for the obliquity of the ecliptic at J2000 is taken from of 'Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac' edited by P. Kenneth Seidelmann. University Science Books, 20 Edgehill Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (1992) page 114 equation 3.222-1 http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#ECLIPJ2000, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#UranusCenteredFrame
UEME (Preliminary)J2000 centered on UranusSame as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on Uranus.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#UranusCenteredFrame
UNKNOWN (Preliminary)Unknown reference frameUnknown reference frame. Only to be used as a last resort or for simulations. Data annotated in this way cannot be automatically combined with any other data.
USO (Preliminary)Uranus-centric Solar Orbital CoordinatesThe Uranus Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Uranus is the primary vector: +X axis points from Uranus to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Uranus is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Uranus center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#UranusCenteredFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarOrbitalFrame
UranusCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Uranus Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Uranus' center of mass.
VME (Preliminary)Venus Mean EquatorThe Venus Mean Equatorial of Date frame (also known as Venus Mean Equator and IAU vector of Date frame) is defined as follows : - X-Y plane is defined by the Venus equator of date, and the +Z axis is parallel to the Venus' rotation axis of date, pointing toward the North side of the invariant plane; - +X axis is defined by the intersection of the Venus' equator of date with the Earth Mean Equator of J2000; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Venus' center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#EME, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#VenusCenteredFrame
VSO (Preliminary)Venus Solar OrbitalThe Venus Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Venus is the primary vector: +X axis points from Venus to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Venus is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Venus center of mass.http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#SolarOrbitalFrame, http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#VenusCenteredFrame
VenusCenteredFrame (Preliminary)Venus Centered CoordinatesReference frame with origin located at Venus' center of mass.
ecl_FK4 (Preliminary)Ecliptic (FK4)Old VOTable COOSYS term ecliptic coordinates for the FK4 ecliptic (of B1950.0).http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#ECLIPTIC
ecl_FK5 (Preliminary)Ecliptic (FK5)Old VOTable COOSYS term ecliptic coordinates for the FK5 ecliptic (of J2000.0).http://voparis-ns.obspm.fr/rdf/ihdea/refframe#ECLIPTIC

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