This book describes how changes in the Earth's orientation are observed and computed in terms of tidal forcing and models of the Earth's interior.

Covering both astronomical and geophysical perspectives, this book describes changes in the Earth's orientation, specifically precession and nutation, and how they are observed and computed in terms of tidal forcing and models of the Earth's interior. Following an introduction to key concepts and elementary geodetic theory, the book describes how precise measurements of the Earth's orientation are made using observations of extra-galactic radio-sources by Very Long Baseline Interferometry techniques. It demonstrates how models are used to accurately pinpoint the location and orientation of the Earth with reference to the stars and how to determine variations in its rotation speed. A theoretical framework is also presented that describes the role played by the structure and properties of the Earth's deep interior. Incorporating suggestions for future developments in nutation theory for the next generation models, this book is ideal for advanced-level students and researchers in solid Earth geophysics, planetary science and astronomy.

Covering both astronomical and geophysical perspectives, this book describes changes in the Earth's orientation, specifically precession and nutation, and how they are observed and computed in terms of tidal forcing and models of the Earth's interior. Following an introduction to key concepts and elementary geodetic theory, the book describes how precise measurements of the Earth's orientation are made using observations of extra-galactic radio-sources by Very Long Baseline Interferometry techniques. It demonstrates how models are used to accurately pinpoint the location and orientation of the Earth with reference to the stars, and how to determine variations in its rotation speed. A theoretical framework is also presented that describes the role played by the structure and properties of the Earth's deep interior. Incorporating suggestions for future developments in nutation theory for the next generation models, this book is ideal for advanced-level students and researchers in solid Earth geophysics, planetary science and astronomy.

The lAU Symposium No. 78, "Nutation and the Earth's Rotation," was held in Y~ev, USSR, from 23 to 28 May, 1977. The Organizing Committee included E. P. Fedorov and R. O. Vicente (Joint Chairmen), W. Fricke, J. Kovalevsky, P. Melchior, N. Pariisky, M. Rochester, C. Sugawa, G. Wilkins and Ya. Yatskiv, who presided over the Local Organizing Com mittee. The meeting was sponsored by Commission 19 and co-sponsored by Commissions 4, 8, and 31. There were 114 registered participants from 14 countries. The main topics covered were as follows: the specification of nutation in the lAU system of astronomical constants; determination of forced nutation and nearly diurnal free polar motion from astronomical observations; expected use of lunar ranging data and long baseline interferometers for precise measurement of the nutation terms; models of the internal constitution of the Earth as the basis of a new theory of nutation; the effect of the ocean and liquid core on the rotation of the Earth; and the interaction between Earth tides and nutation.

Based on the lecture notes of a school titled ‘Tides in Astronomy and Astrophysics’ that brought together students and researchers, this book focuses on the fundamental theories of tides at different scales of the universe—from tiny satellites to whole galaxies—and on the most recent developments. It also attempts to place the study of tides in a historical perspective. Starting with a general tutorial on tides, the theme of tides is approached in 9 chapters from many directions. They allow non-experts to pick up a physical intuition and a sense of orders of magnitude in the theory of tides. These carefully prepared lecture notes by leaders in the field include many illustrative figures and drawings. Some even offer a variety of simple back-of the-envelope problems.

A rigorous overview of the solid Earth's dynamical behaviour, explaining the theory with methodology and online freeware for numerical implementation.