GENERAL INFORMATION
The Astrogeodynamic Observatory at Borowiec is a part of the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences. It is localized 20 km to the south-east of Poznan, near the town Kornik. The main field of activity are the geodynamical studies performed with the use of space techniques.
The Observatory is engaged in global and local geodynamical studies by carrying out regular measurements with the use of the Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) and Global Positioning System (GPS) methods, assisted by the high quality time service. The combined use of two space methods for determination of the parameters of the Earth rotation ensures high accuracy of data collected and processed within the system of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) and enables continuation of projects the Observatory was initially appointed to realize 50 years ago.
Actually in Observatory working 3 research group:
The GPS group performs permanent observations of GPS satellites in the IGNSS Service and EPN network, and measurements within different geodynamical and geodesic projects: POLREF, CERGOP, SAGET, Baltic Sea Level. Results are processed by the program Bernese 5.0.
The laser group is engaged in regular observations of a few dozen laser satellites within the international projects. It is belongs to the EUROLAS consortium joining European laser stations and to ILRS. The group is also involved in modernization and improvement of the laser system striving for better quality results.
The time service group is involved in the creation of the international scale of atomic time TAI and UTC, within the cooperation with the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). The main task is maintenance of accurate time which also ensures high quality of the reference frequency for GPS and laser observations as well as for outside recipients. The cesium reference standards and GPS time receivers ensure the connection to the universal time with the accuracy below 2 nanoseconds.
