Status of the SIRGAS reference frame: recent developments and new challenges

SONIA M. ALVES COSTA; LAURA SANCHEZ; DIEGO PIÑON; JOSE A. TARRIO MOSQUERA; GABRIEL GUIMARAES; DEMIAN GOMEZ; HERMANN DREWES; MACKERN, MARÍA VIRGINIA; EZEQUIEL D. ANTOKOLETZ; ANA C. O.C DE MATOS; DENIZAR BLITZKOW; A. DA SILVA

Thessalonoki

Simposio; International Symposium on Reference Frames for Applications in Geosciences (FEFAG 2022); 2022

Comission 1 of the International Association of Geodesy and the Aristotle University of Thessalonoki

Abstract. In accordance with recent developments of the International Association of Geodesyand the policies promoted by the UN-GGIM Subcommittee on Geodesy, a main goal of SIRGASis the procurement of an integrated regional reference frame that not only supports theprecise determination of geocentric coordinates but also provides a unified physical referenceframe for gravimetry, physical heights, and geoid. The geometric reference frame is given by anetwork of ~500 continuously operating GNSS stations, which are routinely processed by tenanalysis centres to generate weekly station positions aligned to the International TerrestrialReference Frame (ITRF) and multi-year (cumulative) reference frame solutions. This processingis also the basis for the generation of precise tropospheric zenith path delays with an hourlysampling rate over Latin America. The reference frame for the determination of physicalheights is a regional densification of the International Height Reference Frame (IHRF). Currentefforts focus on the estimation and evaluation of potential values obtained from highresolution gravity field modelling, an activity tightly coupled with the geoid determination. Thegravity reference frame is aimed to be a regional densification of the International TerrestrialGravity Reference Frame (ITGRF). SIRGAS activities in this regard are devoted to evaluate thequality of existing absolute gravity stations and to identify regional gaps where furtherabsolute gravity stations are needed. Another main SIRGAS objective is to promote the use ofits geodetic reference frame at the national level and to support capacity building activities inthe region. This presentation summarises key milestones in the establishment andmaintenance of the SIRGAS reference frame and discusses current efforts and futurechallenges