A tropospheric signal delay model for radio astronomical observations

Abstract

In this work, a three-dimensional refraction model is proposed, which allows one to calculate the delay of signal due to the Earth's troposphere—the main source of error limiting the accuracy of modern radio astronomical observations. The method of raytracing through the three-dimensional troposphere (numerical weather model) is used. The results of VLBI observations of spacecraft are presented, showing that, in terms of accuracy, the developed model performs at the level of the best modern analogues and in some cases even exceeds them.