Phoebe’s orbit from ground-based and space-based observations

Abstract

Context. The ephemeris of Phoebe, the ninth satellite of Saturn, is not very accurate. Previous dynamical models were usually too simplified, the astrometry is heterogeneous and, the Saturn's ephemeris itself is an additionnal source of error. Aims: The aim is to improve Phoebe's ephemeris by using a large set of observations, correcting some systematic errors and updating the dynamical model. Methods: The dynamical model makes use of the most recent ephemeris of planets and Saturnian satellites. The astrometry of Phoebe is improved by using a compilation of ground-based and space-based observations and by correcting the bias in stellar catalogues used for the reduction. Results: We present an accurate ephemeris of Phoebe with residuals of 0.45 arcsec and with an estimated accuracy of Phoebe's position of less that 100 km on 1990-2020 period. The catalogue of ground-based observations of Phoebe is available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/553/A36Table 5 is available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org