Planetary Observational Data

The creation of modern ephemerides involves the fitting to a wide variety of astronomical measurements (observations). This page presents the sets of observations that are currently being used in the creation and improvement of modern planetary and lunar ephemerides.

These data are currently maintained by Ryan Park; JPL/Caltech (ryan.s.park@jpl.nasa.gov).

Meridian Circle Timings (transits)

• iBordeaux, 1985-96
• RGO, Herstmonceux,1957-82
• RGO, La Palma, 1984-98
• Tokyo, 1986-88
• USNO 6″, 1913-76
• USNO 6″, 1977-82
• USNO 6″, 1986-93
• USNO 9″, 1913-25, 1935-45

Photographic Astrometry of Outer Planets and Satellites

• [ Format ]
• [ References ]

• Nikolaev
• misc. observatories

Photographic Astrometry of Pluto

• [ Format ]
• [ References ]

• 1914-1969
• 1969-1988
• 1989-1995

CCD Astrometry of Outer Planets and Satellites

• [ Format ]
• [ References ]

• USNO, Flagstaff
• Bordeaux
• Table Mountain
• McDonald
• misc. observations

Astrolabe Observations

• [ Format ]
• [ References ]

• Mars
• Jupiter
• Saturn
• Uranus

Radar Ranging from Eupatoria, Crimea

• Mercury, 1980-95; Venus, 1962-95; Mars, 1971-95 (external link)

Radar Ranging from Goldstone, California

• [ Format ]
• [ References ]

• Mercury, 1967-97
• Venus, 1967-90

Spacecraft Encounter Estimates

• [ Format ]

Right ascension, declination and range estimates from spacecraft encounters with tracking data (Doppler, range, and VLBI) re-reduced in ICRF frame.

• Spacecraft 3-D Observations

Spacecraft VLBI

• [ References ]

Data from Magellan, Venus Express at Venus, Phobos, Mars Global Surveyor, Odyssey, Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter at Mars, and Galileo at Jupiter.

• Single Baseline VLBI Observations
• VLBA Observations of Cassini spacecraft at Saturn

Mercury Spacecraft Range

• Messenger Range

Venus Spacecraft Doppler

• Magellan Doppler

Mars Spacecraft Ranging

• Mariner 9
• Viking Lander
• Mars Pathfinder
• Mars Global Surveyor
• Odyssey (2002-2013)
• MRO (2006-2013)

Mars Spacecraft Doppler (Differenced Range)

• [ Format ]
• [ References ]

• Viking Lander
• Pathfinder Lander

Juno Spacecraft Range

• Juno Range

Cassini Spacecraft Range

• Cassini Range

DSN Station Locations

• DSN Coordinates

Lunar Laser Ranging

These data are provided by the International Laser Ranging Service.

• Lunar Laser Ranging and Satellite Laser Ranging Data (external link)