The Fresnel-Fizeau effect and the atmospheric time delay in geodetic VLBI

TL;DR

This paper provides a rigorous relativistic derivation of the atmospheric time delay in geodetic VLBI, incorporating the Fresnel-Fizeau effect, and confirms the existing consensus model used in IERS Standards.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical formalism that accounts for the Fresnel-Fizeau effect in VLBI atmospheric delay calculations, offering a solid relativistic foundation.

Findings

Confirms the atmospheric delay model used in IERS Standards

Provides a relativistic derivation of the atmospheric delay equation

Lays groundwork for more subtle relativistic corrections

Abstract

The Fresnel-Fizeau effect is a special relativistic effect that makes the speed of light dependent on the velocity of a transparent, moving medium. We present a theoretical formalism for discussing propagation of electromagnetic signals through the moving Earth atmosphere with taking into account the Fresnel-Fizeau effect. It provides the rigorous relativistic derivation of the atmospheric time delay equation in the consensus model of geodetic VLBI observations which was never published before. The paper confirms the atmospheric time delay of the consensus VLBI model used in IERS Standards, and provides a firm theoretical basis for calculation of even more subtle relativistic corrections.