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Very short baseline interferometry: assessment of the relative stability of the GPS stations at the Yebes Observatory (Spain)

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Abstract

Using a very short baseline interferometer, the relative stability of the YEBE and YEB1 GPS stations at the Yebes Observatory (Spain) is assessed. A baseline length bias of 1 mm was found between estimates from different observed frequencies due most likely to phase center errors resulting from antenna calibration uncertainties and/or phase center migrations caused by the electromagnetic coupling of antenna and monument. Also a bias of 0.5 mm in the vertical component of the baseline length was found between estimates from different cut-off elevation angles due to elevation-dependent errors as phase center and multipath. In addition to these biases, significant variations in the horizontal component of the baseline length were found, mostly in the form of a trend of −0.45 ± 0.10 mm/yr and an annual oscillation of amplitude 1 ± 0.1 mm and phase 155 ± 5 (beginning of June). The annual oscillation showed a high correlation with ambient temperature variations. Bedrock thermal expansion seems not to be a significant contributor to the annual variation due to the excellent agreement between the phases of the baseline and temperature annual signals. Thermoelastic expansion of the station monuments, which are comprised of concrete pillars and buildings, driven by the sunshine heating, is likely the origin of this oscillation. Near-field multipath and phase center errors are also rejected as being the main contributor to the annual signal. Conversely, near-field multipath and phase center errors may significantly contribute together to the time-correlated noise content of the baseline time series at long periods (flicker noise amplitude of 1.2 ± 0.1 mm). This research provides thus an assessment of the GPS station stability at the Yebes Observatory, which may be extended to the level of station-dependent contamination of geophysical and geodetic studies (e.g., plate tectonics, surface loadings, local ties) when similar station installations on top of buildings are used.

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  1. Instituto Geográfico Nacional, Observatorio de Yebes, Apartado 148, 19080, Guadalajara, Spain

    Alvaro Santamaría-Gómez

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  1. Alvaro Santamaría-Gómez
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Correspondence to Alvaro Santamaría-Gómez.

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Santamaría-Gómez, A. Very short baseline interferometry: assessment of the relative stability of the GPS stations at the Yebes Observatory (Spain). Stud Geophys Geod 57, 233–252 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11200-012-1146-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11200-012-1146-y

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