Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG)
BKG operates three geodetic observatories. Because of the possibility to combine and directly compare different geodetic monitoring techniques, the observatory in Wettzell and the Argentine-German Geodetic Observatory (AGGO) have been designated fundamental stations.
Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) to quasars, laser ranging to satellites (Satellite Laser Ranging, SLR) and to the moon (Lunar Laser Ranging, LLR) as well as the satellite positioning systems GPS and GLONASS are employed.
The third geodetic observatory is at O’Higgins in the Antarctic. As part of the International VLBI Service (IVS), VLBI measurements are carried out to characterize earth rotation parameters, detect crustal movement, and conduct astronomical/astrophysical experiments (e.g., TANAMI).
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