Reference Frames
type: Ontology
description: A collection of reference frames in common use in astronomy, organised by top-level categories (equatorial, galactic, etc). These concepts are used in VOTable's COOSYS, in SimpleDALRegExt's PosParam type, and of course in the Coords data model. Where no more precise reference are given, http://www.iaufs.org/res.html is often of help.
license: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
vocflavour: RDF Class
created: 2023-12-04
creator: Demleitner, M.
creator: Rots, A.
creator: Cresitello-Dittmar, M.
creator: Cecconi, B.
creator: Weigel, R.

Body Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Generic bodycentric coordinates. Data annotated in this way cannot be automatically combined with any other data. Use or create more specific terms if at all possible.

Galactic
type: DeprecatedClass
deprecated: :__
comment: Old VOTable COOSYS term for GALACTIC.
use instead: Galactic
subclass of: Galactic

Azimuth/elevation
type: Class
comment: Local azimuth and elevation. (Ground-based observations; Azimuth from North through East.)

ICRS
type: Class
comment: International Celestial Reference System as defined by 1998AJ....116..516M.
subclass of: Equatorial
is described by: https://doi.org/10.1086/300408
subclass of: Solar System Centered Coordinates

(Obscure)
type: DeprecatedClass
deprecated: :__
comment: An old VOTable COOSYS term, the meaning of which has been lost in time.

Galactic
type: Class
comment: Galactic coordinates, modern definition: Pole at precisely FK4 B1950 192.25, 27.4, origin at approximately FK4 B1950 265.55, -28.92. See 1960MNRAS.121..123B for details.
is described by: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/121.2.123
subclass of: Galactic

FK4
type: DeprecatedClass
subclass of: Equatorial
use instead: FK4
deprecated: :__
comment: Old VOTable COOSYS term for FK4.

Ecliptic (FK5)
type: DeprecatedClass
type: Class
subclass of: Ecliptic
use instead: Ecliptic
deprecated: :__
comment: Old VOTable COOSYS term ecliptic coordinates for the FK5 ecliptic (of J2000.0).

Supergalactic
type: DeprecatedClass
use instead: Supergalactic
deprecated: :__
comment: Old VOTable COOSYS term for SUPER_GALACTIC

ICRS/Bary
type: DeprecatedClass
use instead: ICRS
comment: Old VOTable COOSYS term indicating ICRS at BARYCENTER reference position. In the modern VO, refpos and refframe are no longer represented together. Do not use this any more.
deprecated: :__

Equatorial
type: Class
comment: Umbrella term of all equatorial frames. Only use for old, pre-FK4 equatorial coordinates.

Unknown reference frame
type: DeprecatedClass
comment: Old VOTable COOSYS term for UNKNOWN
deprecated: :__
use instead: Unknown reference frame

Unknown reference frame
type: Class
comment: Unknown reference frame. Only to be used as a last resort or for simulations. Data annotated in this way cannot be automatically combined with any other data.

Supergalactic
type: Class
comment: Supergalactic coordinates (pole at GALACTIC 47.37, +6.32, origin at GALACTIC 137.37, 0.

FK5
type: DeprecatedClass
subclass of: Equatorial
deprecated: :__
comment: Old VOTable COOSYS term for FK5.
use instead: FK5

Galactic
type: Class
comment: Umbrella term for Galactic coordinates. If at all possible, use a more specific term, as historically, many different conventions have been in use.

Old Galactic
type: Class
subclass of: Galactic
comment: Old, pre-1958, Galactic coordinates. See 1960MNRAS.121..123B for details.

FK4
type: Class
subclass of: Equatorial
comment: Positions based on the 4th Fundamental Katalog. If no equinox is defined with this frame, assume B1950.0.

Ecliptic (FK4)
type: Class
subclass of: Ecliptic
comment: Old VOTable COOSYS term ecliptic coordinates for the FK4 ecliptic (of B1950.0).

FK5
type: Class
subclass of: Equatorial
comment: Positions based on the 5th Fundamental Katalog. If no equinox is defined with this frame, assume J2000.0. Applications not requiring extremely high precision can identify FK5 at J2000 with ICRS.

Ecliptic
type: Class
comment: Ecliptic coordinates; the ecliptic of J2000.0 is assumed.

Comet solar orbital centered on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko
type: Class
comment: The 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko Comet solar orbital frame is defined as a two-vector style dynamic frames as follows: - The position of the sun relative to 67P is the primary vector: the X axis points from the comet to the sun. - The inertially referenced velocity of the sun relative to 67P is the secondary vector: the Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the X axis. - The Z axis is X cross Y, completing the right-handed reference frame.
subclass of: Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Body-related Solar Orbital Frame

J2000 centered on comet 67P
type: Class
comment: Same as #EME, but centered on comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko
subclass of: Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox

Callisto Phi-Omega
type: Class
comment: In this Cartesian coordinate system, X is along the flow direction, Y is along the Callisto-Jupiter vector, and Z is along the spin axis. These coordinates are analogous to the earth-centered GSE coordinates that relate to the direction of flow of the solar wind onto Earth's environment.
subclass of: Callisto Centered Coordinates

Dione Inter-action coordinate System
type: Class
comment: The Dione Inter-action coordinate System frame is defined as follows: - The inertially referenced velocity of Saturn relative to Dione is the primary vector: +X; - The position of Saturn relative to Dione is the secondary vector: +Y axis points from Dione to Saturn; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Dione's center of mass.
subclass of: Dione Centered Coordinates

Deimos Mean Equator
type: Class
comment: The Deimos Mean Equator of Date frame (also known as Deimos Mean Equator and IAU vector of Date frame) is defined as follows : - X-Y plane is defined by the Deimos equator of date, and the +Z axis, primary vector of this frame, is parallel to the Moon's rotation axis of date, pointing toward the North side of the invariant plane; - +X axis is defined by the intersection of the Moon's equator of date with the Earth Mean Equator of J2000; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Deimos' center of mass.
subclass of: Deimos Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox

Deimos-centric Solar Ecliptic
type: Class
comment: The Deimos-centric Solar Ecliptic frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Deimos is the primary vector: +X axis points from Moon to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Deimos is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Deimos' center of mass.
subclass of: Deimos Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Body-related Solar Ecliptic Frame

Earth Mean Ecliptic and Equinox
type: Class
comment: The Earth Mean Ecliptic and Equinox of Date frame is defined as follows: - +Z axis is aligned with the north-pointing vector normal to the mean orbital plane of the Earth; - +X axis points along the ''mean equinox'', which is defined as the intersection of the Earth's mean orbital plane with the Earth's mean equatorial plane. It is aligned with the cross product of the north-pointing vectors normal to the Earth's mean equator and mean orbit plane of date; - +Y axis is the cross product of the Z and X axes and completes the right-handed frame; - the origin of this frame is the Earth's center of mass. The mathematical model used to obtain the orientation of the Earth's mean equator and equinox of date frame is the 1976 IAU precession model, built into SPICE. The mathematical model used to obtain the mean orbital plane of the Earth is the 1980 IAU obliquity model, also built into SPICE. The base frame for the 1976 IAU precession model is J2000.

Ecliptic coordinates based upon the J2000 frame
type: Class
comment: The value for the obliquity of the ecliptic at J2000 is taken from of 'Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac' edited by P. Kenneth Seidelmann. University Science Books, 20 Edgehill Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (1992) page 114 equation 3.222-1

Earth Mean Equator and Equinox
type: Class
comment: The Earth Mean Equator and Equinox of Date frame is defined as follows: - +Z axis is aligned with the north-pointing vector normal to the mean equatorial plane of the Earth; - +X axis points along the ''mean equinox'', which is defined as the intersection of the Earth's mean orbital plane with the Earth's mean equatorial plane. It is aligned with the cross product of the north-pointing vectors normal to the Earth's mean equator and mean orbit plane of date; - +Y axis is the cross product of the Z and X axes and completes the right-handed frame; - the origin of this frame is the Earth's center of mass.

Enceladus Inter-action coordinate System
type: Class
comment: The Moon Inter-action coordinate System frame is defined as follows: - The inertially referenced velocity of Saturn relative to Enceladus is the primary vector: +X; - The position of Saturn relative to Enceladus is the secondary vector: +Y axis points from Moon to Saturn; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Enceladus' center of mass.

Europa Phi-Omega
type: Class
comment: In this Cartesian coordinate system, X is along the flow direction, Y is along the Europa-Jupiter vector, and Z is along the spin axis. These coordinates are analogous to the earth-centered GSE coordinates that relate to the direction of flow of the solar wind onto Earth's environment.

Ganymede Phi-Omega
type: Class
comment: In this Cartesian coordinate system, X is along the flow direction, Y is along the Ganymede-Jupiter vector, and Z is along the spin axis. These coordinates are analogous to the earth-centered GSE coordinates that relate to the direction of flow of the solar wind onto Earth's environment

Comet solar orbital centered on GRIGG-SKJELLERUP comet
type: Class
comment: GRIGG-SKJELLERUP Solar Orbital frame is defined as a two-vector style dynamic frames as follows: - The position of the sun relative to the comet is the primary vector: the X axis points from the comet to the sun. - The inertially referenced velocity of the sun relative to the comet is the secondary vector: the Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the X axis. - The Z axis is X cross Y, completing the right-handed reference frame.
subclass of: Body-related Solar Orbital Frame

J2000 centered on Comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup
type: Class
comment: Same as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on Comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup.
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox
subclass of: Comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup Centered Coordinates

Geocentric Solar Ecliptic
type: Class
comment: The Earth-centric Solar Ecliptic frame is defined as follows : - X-Y plane is defined by the Earth Mean Ecliptic plane of date: the +Z axis, primary vector, is the normal vector to this plane, always pointing toward the North side of the invariant plane; - +X axis is the component of the Earth-Sun vector that is orthogonal to the +Z axis; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is the Sun's center of mass.
subclass of: Sun Centered Coordinates

Geocentric Solar Equatorial
type: Class
comment: The Geocentric Solar Equatorial frame is defined as follows : - +X axis is the position of the Sun relative to the Earth; it's the primary vector and points from the Earth to the Sun; - +Z axis is the component of the Sun's north pole of date orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Y axis completes the right-handed reference frame; - the origin of this frame is the Earth's center of mass.
subclass of: Earth Centered Coordinates

Geocentric Solar Magnetospheric
type: Class
comment: A coordinate system where the X axis is from Earth to Sun, Z axis is northward in a plane containing the X axis and the geomagnetic dipole axis. See Russell, 1971 Thus, +X is identical to `#GSE` +X and is the primary, and +Z is the secondary and is the MAG +Z.
subclass of: Earth Centered Coordinates

Comet solar orbital centered on HALLEY comet
type: Class
comment: Halley comeet solar orbital frame is defined as a two-vector style dynamic frames as follows: - The position of the sun relative to the comet is the primary vector: the X axis points from the comet to the sun. - The inertially referenced velocity of the sun relative to the comet is the secondary vector: the Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the X axis. - The Z axis is X cross Y, completing the right-handed reference frame.
subclass of: Comet 1P/Halley Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Body-related Solar Orbital Frame

J2000 centered on HALLEY comet
type: Class
comment: Same as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on Halley comet.
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox
subclass of: Comet 1P/Halley Centered Coordinates

Heliocentric Inertial
type: Class
comment: The Heliocentric Inertial Frame is defined as follows : - X-Y plane is defined by the Sun's equator of epoch J2000: the +Z axis, primary vector, is parallel to the Sun's rotation axis of epoch J2000, pointing toward the Sun's north pole; - +X axis is defined by the ascending node of the Sun's equatorial plane on the ecliptic plane of J2000; - +Y completes the right-handed frame; - the origin of this frame is the Sun's center of mass.
subclass of: Sun Centered Coordinates

Heliocentric Earth Ecliptic
type: Class
comment: The Heliocentric Earth Ecliptic frame is defined as follows : - X-Y plane is defined by the Earth Mean Ecliptic plane of date, therefore, the +Z axis is the primary vector, and it is defined as the normal vector to the Ecliptic plane that points toward the north pole of date; - +X axis is the component of the Sun-Earth vector that is orthogonal to the +Z axis; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is the Sun's center of mass.
subclass of: Sun Centered Coordinates

Heliocentric Earth Equatorial
type: Class
comment: The Heliocentric Earth Equatorial frame is defined as follows: - X-Y plane is the solar equator of date, therefore, the +Z axis is the primary vector and it is aligned to the Sun's north pole of date; - +X axis is defined by the intersection between the Sun equatorial plane and the solar central meridian of date as seen from the Earth. The solar central meridian of date is defined as the meridian of the Sun that is turned toward the Earth. Therefore, +X axis is the component of the Sun-Earth vector that is orthogonal to the +Z axis; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is the Sun's center of mass.
subclass of: Sun Centered Coordinates

Earth-centered Body-Fixed Frame
type: Class
comment: IAU Frame for the Earth.
is described by: s10569-017-9805-5
subclass of: Earth Centered Coordinates

Jupiter-centered Body-Fixed Frame
type: Class
comment: IAU Frame for Jupiter.
is described by: s10569-017-9805-5
subclass of: Jupiter Centered Coordinates

Mars-centered Body-Fixed Frame
type: Class
comment: IAU Frame for Mars.
is described by: s10569-017-9805-5
subclass of: Mars Centered Coordinates

Mercury-centered Body-Fixed Frame
type: Class
comment: IAU Frame for Mercury.
is described by: s10569-017-9805-5
subclass of: Mercury Centered Coordinates

Moon-Centered Body-Fixed Frame
type: Class
comment: IAU Frame for the Moon (Earth natural satellite).
is described by: s10569-017-9805-5
subclass of: Earth's Moon Centered Coordinates

Neptune-centered Body-Fixed Frame
type: Class
comment: IAU Frame for Neptune.
is described by: s10569-017-9805-5
subclass of: Neptune Centered Coordinates

Pluto-centered Body-Fixed Frame
type: Class
comment: IAU Frame for Pluto.
is described by: s10569-017-9805-5
subclass of: Pluto Centered Coordinates

Saturn-centered Body-Fixed Frame
type: Class
comment: IAU Frame for Saturn.
is described by: s10569-017-9805-5
subclass of: Saturn Centered Coordinates

Sun-centered Body-Fixed Frame
type: Class
comment: IAU Frame for the Sun.
is described by: s10569-017-9805-5
subclass of: Sun Centered Coordinates

Uranus-centered Body-Fixed Frame
type: Class
comment: IAU Frame for Uranus.
is described by: s10569-017-9805-5
subclass of: Uranus Centered Coordinates

Venus-centered Body-Fixed Frame
type: Class
comment: IAU Frame for Venus.
is described by: s10569-017-9805-5
subclass of: Venus Centered Coordinates

Io Phi-Omega
type: Class
comment: In this Cartesian coordinate system, X is along the flow direction, Y is along the Io-Jupiter vector, and Z is along the spin axis. These coordinates are analogous to the earth-centered GSE coordinates that relate to the direction of flow of the solar wind onto Earth's environment.
subclass of: Io Centered Coordinates

Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000
type: Class
comment: Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000.
subclass of: Earth Centered Coordinates

ECLIPJ2000 centered on Jupiter
type: Class
comment: Same as `#ECLIPJ2000` but centered on Jupiter. The value for the obliquity of the ecliptic at J2000 is taken from of 'Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac' edited by P. Kenneth Seidelmann. University Science Books, 20 Edgehill Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (1992) page 114 equation 3.222-1
subclass of: Earth Centered Coordinates

J2000 centered on Jupiter
type: Class
comment: Same as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000), but centered on Jupiter
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox
subclass of: Jupiter Centered Coordinates

Jovian Solar Magnetospheric
type: Class
comment: A coordinate system where the X axis is from Jupiter to Sun, Z axis is northward in a plane containing the X axis and the Jovian dipole axis. Dipole is 159 longitude and 80 latitude.
subclass of: Jupiter Centered Coordinates

Jovian Solar Orbital
type: Class
comment: The Jupiter Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Jupiter is the primary vector: +X axis points from Jupiter to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Jupiter is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Jupiter center of mass.
subclass of: Jupiter Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Body-related Solar Orbital Frame

ECLIPJ2000 centered on Saturn
type: Class
comment: Same as #ECLIPJ2000 but centered on Saturn. The value for the obliquity of the ecliptic at J2000 is taken from of 'Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac' edited by P. Kenneth Seidelmann. University Science Books, 20 Edgehill Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (1992) page 114 equation 3.222-1
subclass of: Saturn Centered Coordinates

J2000 centered on Saturn
type: Class
comment: Same as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000), but centered on Saturn.
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox
subclass of: Saturn Centered Coordinates

Kronian Solar Magnetospheric
type: Class
comment: A coordinate system where the X axis is from Saturn to Sun, Z axis is northward in a plane containing the X axis and the Kronian dipole axis. NB: Some sources refers magnetic dipole at 180 degrees longitude, 89.99 degrees latitude in the #IAU_SATURN frame. Other source make assume that the dipole axis is parallel to the spin axis.
subclass of: Saturn Centered Coordinates

Kronian Solar Orbital
type: Class
comment: The Saturn Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Saturn is the primary vector: +X axis points from Saturn to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Saturn is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Saturn center of mass.
subclass of: Saturn Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Body-related Solar Orbital Frame

Moon Mean Equator
type: Class
comment: The Moon Mean Equator of Date frame (also known as Moon Mean Equator and IAU vector of Date frame) is defined as follows : - X-Y plane is defined by the Moon equator of date, and the +Z axis, primary vector of this frame, is parallel to the Moon's rotation axis of date, pointing toward the North side of the invariant plane; - +X axis is defined by the intersection of the Moon's equator of date with the Earth Mean Equator of J2000; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Moon's center of mass.
subclass of: Earth's Moon Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox

Selenocentric Solar Ecliptic
type: Class
comment: The Moon-centric Solar Ecliptic frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Moon is the primary vector: +X axis points from Moon to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Moon is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Moon's center of mass.
subclass of: Earth's Moon Centered Coordinates

Solar orbital centered on asteroid LUTETIA
type: Class
comment: Lutetia solar orbital frame is defined as a two-vector style dynamic frames as follows: - The position of the sun relative to the comet is the primary vector: the X axis points from the asteroid to the Sun. - The inertially referenced velocity of the sun relative to the asteroid is the secondary vector: the Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the X axis. - The Z axis is X cross Y, completing the right-handed reference frame.
subclass of: Lutetia Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Body-related Solar Orbital Frame

J2000 centered on asteroid LUTETIA
type: Class
comment: Same as `#EME` (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on LUTETIA.
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox
subclass of: Lutetia Centered Coordinates

Earth Geomagnetic coordinate system
type: Class
comment: Geomagnetic - geocentric. Z axis is parallel to the geomagnetic dipole axis, positive north. X is in the plane defined by the Z axis and the Earth's rotation axis. If N is a unit vector from the Earth's center to the north geographic pole, the signs of the X and Y axes are given by Y = N x Z, X = Y x Z.. See Russell, 1971 The implementation of this frame is complicated in that the definition of the IGRF dipole is a function of time and the IGRF model cannot be directly incorporated into Spice. However, Spice does allow one to define time dependent Euler angles. Meaning, you can define an Euler angle that rotates GEO to MAG for a given ephemeris time t: V = r(t) * V GEI MAG where r(t) is a time dependent Euler angle representation of a rotation. Spice allows for the time dependence to be represented by a polynomial expansion. This expansion can be fit using the IGRF model, thus representing the IGRF dipole axis. IGRF-11 (the 11th version) was fit for the period of 1990-2020, which should encompass the mission and will also make this kernel useful for performing Magnetic dipole frame transformations for the 1990's and the 2000's. However, IGRF-11 is not as accurate for this entire time interval. The years between 1945-2005 are labeled definitive, although only back to 1990 was used in the polynomial fit. 2005-2010 is provisional, and may change with IGRF-12. 2010-2015 was only a prediction. Beyond 2015, the predict is so far in the future as to not be valid. So to make the polynomials behave nicely in this region (in case someone does try to use this frame during that time), the 2015 prediction was extended until 2020. So for low precision, this kernel can be used for the years 2015-2020. Any times less than 1990 and greater than 2020 were not used in the fit, and therefore may be vastly incorrect as the polynomials may diverge outside of this region. These coefficients will be refit when IGRF-12 is released. Also, since the rest of the magnetic dipole frames are defi…
is described by: rbsp general011.tf
subclass of: Earth Centered Coordinates

ECLIPJ2000 centered on Mercury
type: Class
comment: Same as #ECLIPJ2000 but centered on Mercury. The value for the obliquity of the ecliptic at J2000 is taken from of 'Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac' edited by P. Kenneth Seidelmann. University Science Books, 20 Edgehill Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (1992) page 114 equation 3.222-1
subclass of: Mercury Centered Coordinates

J2000 centered on Mercury
type: Class
comment: Same as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on Mercury.
subclass of: Mercury Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox

Mercury-centric Solar Ecliptic
type: Class
comment: The Mercury-centric Solar Ecliptic frame is defined as follows: - X-Y plane is defined by the Earth Mean Ecliptic plane of date: the +Z axis, primary vector, is the normal vector to this plane,always pointing toward the North side of the invariant plane; - +X axis is the component of the Mercury-Sun vector that is orthogonal to the +Z axis; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is the Sun's center of mass.
subclass of: Mercury Centered Coordinates

Mercury-centric Solar Equatorial
type: Class
comment: The Mercury-centric Solar Equatorial frame is defined as follows : - +X axis is the position of the Sun relative to the Mercury; it's the primary vector and points from the Mercury to the Sun; - +Z axis is the component of the Sun's north pole of date orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Y axis completes the right-handed reference frame; - the origin of this frame is the Mercury's center of mass.
subclass of: Mercury Centered Coordinates

Mercury-centric Solar Orbital
type: Class
comment: The Mercury Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Mercury is the primary vector: +X axis points from Mercury to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Mercury is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Mercury center of mass.
subclass of: Mercury Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Body-related Solar Orbital Frame

Mimas Inter-action coordinate System
type: Class
comment: The Mimas Inter-action coordinate System frame is defined as follows: - The inertially referenced velocity of Saturn relative to Mimas is the primary vector: +X; - The position of Saturn relative to Moon is the secondary vector: +Y axis points from Mimas to Saturn; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Mimas' center of mass.
subclass of: Mimas Centered Coordinates

Mars Mean Equator
type: Class
comment: The Mars Mean Equator of Date frame (also known as Mars Mean Equator and IAU vector of Date frame) is defined as follows: - X-Y plane is defined by the Mars equator of date: the +Z axis, primary vector, is parallel to the Mars' rotation axis of date, pointing toward the North side of the invariant plane; - +X axis is defined by the intersection of the Mars' equator of date with the J2000 equator; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Mars' center of mass.
subclass of: Mars Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox

Mars-centric Solar Orbital
type: Class
comment: The Mars Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Mars is the primary vector: +X axis points from Mars to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Mars is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Mars' center of mass.
subclass of: Mars Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Body-related Solar Orbital Frame

ECLIPJ2000 centered on Neptune
type: Class
comment: Same as `#ECLIPJ2000` but centered on Neptune. The value for the obliquity of the ecliptic at J2000 is taken from of 'Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac' edited by P. Kenneth Seidelmann. University Science Books, 20 Edgehill Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (1992) page 114 equation 3.222-1
subclass of: Neptune Centered Coordinates

J2000 centered on Neptune
type: Class
comment: Same as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on Neptune.
subclass of: Neptune Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox

Neptune-centric Solar Orbital Coordinates
type: Class
comment: The Neptune Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Neptune is the primary vector: +X axis points from Neptune to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Neptune is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Neptune center of mass.
subclass of: Neptune Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Body-related Solar Orbital Frame

ECLIPJ2000 centered on Pluto
type: Class
comment: Same as `#ECLIPJ2000` but centered on Pluto. The value for the obliquity of the ecliptic at J2000 is taken from of 'Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac' edited by P. Kenneth Seidelmann. University Science Books, 20 Edgehill Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (1992) page 114 equation 3.222-1
subclass of: Pluto Centered Coordinates

EME2000 centered on Pluto
type: Class
comment: Same as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on Pluto.
subclass of: Pluto Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox

Phobos Mean Equator
type: Class
comment: The Phobos Mean Equator of Date frame (also known as Phobos Mean Equator and IAU vector of Date frame) is defined as follows : - X-Y plane is defined by the Phobos equator of date, and the +Z axis, primary vector of this frame, is parallel to the Moon's rotation axis of date, pointing toward the North side of the invariant plane; - +X axis is defined by the intersection of the Moon's equator of date with the Earth Mean Equator of J2000; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Phobos' center of mass.
subclass of: Phobos Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox

Phobos-centric Solar Ecliptic
type: Class
comment: The Phobos-centric Solar Ecliptic frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Phobos is the primary vector: +X axis points from Moon to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Phobos is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Phobos' center of mass.
subclass of: Phobos Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Body-related Solar Ecliptic Frame

Pluto-centric Solar Orbital Coordinates
type: Class
comment: The Pluto Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Pluto is the primary vector: +X axis points from Pluto to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Pluto is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Pluto center of mass.
subclass of: Pluto Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Body-related Solar Orbital Frame

Rhea Inter-action coordinate System
type: Class
comment: The Rhea Inter-action coordinate System frame is defined as follows: - The inertially referenced velocity of Saturn relative to Rhea is the primary vector: +X; - The position of Saturn relative to Rhea is the secondary vector: +Y axis points from Rhea to Saturn; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Rhea's center of mass.
subclass of: Rhea Centered Coordinates

Sun-Spacecraft coordinate system
type: Class
comment: RTN Frame is defined as follows: - R is positive from the Sun to the spacecraft. - T is omega cross R, where omega is the sun spin axis. - N is R cross T, which completes the right-handed system. This frame assumes the instantaneous center is located at the Sun, and not the spacecraft. Further, the axes are associated with the normal X, Y, and Z in the following manner: - R -> X - T -> Y - N -> Z

Planet-Spacecraft coordinate system
type: Class
comment: The RTP frame is defined as follows: - R is positive from the Planet to the spacecraft. - T is omega cross R, where omega is the planet spin axis. - P is R cross T, which completes the right-handed system. This frame assumes the instantaneous center is located at planet and not the spacecraft. Further, the axes are associated with the normal X, Y, and Z in the following manner: - R -> X - Theta -> Y - Phi -> Z

Solar Magnetic coordinates
type: Class
comment: A geocentric coordinate system where the Z axis is northward along Earth's dipole axis, X axis is in plane of z axis and Earth-Sun line, positive sunward. See Russell, 1971. Thus, this is much like #GSM, except that now the +Z axis is the primary, meaning it is parallel to the dipole vector, and +X is the secondary. Since the X-Z plane is the same as #GSM's X-Z plane, the Y axis is the same as #GSM.
subclass of: Earth Centered Coordinates

Solar orbital centered on asteroid STEINS
type: Class
comment: Steins solar orbital frame is defined as a two-vector style dynamic frames as follows: - The position of the sun relative to the asteroid is the primary vector: the X axis points from the comet to the sun. - The inertially referenced velocity of the sun relative to the asteroid is the secondary vector: the Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the X axis. - The Z axis is X cross Y, completing the right-handed reference frame.
subclass of: Asteroid (2867) Steins Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Body-related Solar Orbital Frame

J2000 centered on asteroid STEINS
type: Class
comment: Same as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on STEINS.
subclass of: Asteroid (2867) Steins Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox

Jupiter-centered Body-Fixed Frame
type: Class
comment: Same as #IAU_JUPITER.
subclass of: Jupiter Centered Coordinates

Tethys Inter-action coordinate System
type: Class
comment: The Tethys Inter-action coordinate System frame is defined as follows: - The inertially referenced velocity of Saturn relative to Tethys is the primary vector: +X; - The position of Saturn relative to Moon is the secondary vector: +Y axis points from Tethys to Saturn; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Tethys' center of mass.
subclass of: Tethys Centered Coordinates

Titan Inter-action coordinate System
type: Class
comment: The Titan Inter-action coordinate System frame is defined as follows: - The inertially referenced velocity of Saturn relative to Titan is the primary vector: +X; - The position of Saturn relative to Titan is the secondary vector: +Y axis points from Titan to Saturn; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Titan's center of mass.
subclass of: Titan Centered Coordinates

ECLIPJ2000 centered on Uranus
type: Class
comment: Same as `#ECLIPJ2000` but centered on Uranus. The value for the obliquity of the ecliptic at J2000 is taken from of 'Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac' edited by P. Kenneth Seidelmann. University Science Books, 20 Edgehill Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (1992) page 114 equation 3.222-1
subclass of: Uranus Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Ecliptic coordinates based upon the J2000 frame

J2000 centered on Uranus
type: Class
comment: Same as #EME (Earth mean equator, dynamical equinox of J2000) but centered on Uranus.
subclass of: Uranus Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox

Uranus-centric Solar Orbital Coordinates
type: Class
comment: The Uranus Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Uranus is the primary vector: +X axis points from Uranus to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Uranus is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Uranus center of mass.
subclass of: Uranus Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Body-related Solar Orbital Frame

Venus Mean Equator
type: Class
comment: The Venus Mean Equatorial of Date frame (also known as Venus Mean Equator and IAU vector of Date frame) is defined as follows : - X-Y plane is defined by the Venus equator of date, and the +Z axis is parallel to the Venus' rotation axis of date, pointing toward the North side of the invariant plane; - +X axis is defined by the intersection of the Venus' equator of date with the Earth Mean Equator of J2000; - +Y axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Venus' center of mass.
subclass of: Venus Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Earth Mean Equator and Equinox

Venus Solar Orbital
type: Class
comment: The Venus Solar Orbital frame is defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to Venus is the primary vector: +X axis points from Venus to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to Venus is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is Venus center of mass.
subclass of: Venus Centered Coordinates
subclass of: Body-related Solar Orbital Frame

Earth Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Earth's center of mass.

Sun Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Sun's center of mass.

Mercury Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Mercury's center of mass.

Venus Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Venus' center of mass.

Mars Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Mars' center of mass.

Jupiter Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Jupiter's center of mass.

Saturn Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Saturn's center of mass.

Uranus Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Uranus' center of mass.

Neptune Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Neptune's center of mass.

Callisto Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Callisto's center of mass.

Comet 1P/Halley Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Comet 1P/Halley center of mass.

Comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup center of mass.

Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko commet's center of mass.

Deimos Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Deimos' center of mass.

Dione Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Dione's center of mass.

Io Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Io's center of mass.

Lutetia Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Lutetia's center of mass.

Mimas Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Mimas' center of mass.

Earth's Moon Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Earth's Moon center of mass.

Phobos Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Phobos' center of mass.

Pluto Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Pluto's center of mass.

Rhea Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Rhea's center of mass.

Asteroid (2867) Steins Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Asteroid (2867) Steins' center of mass.

Titan Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Titan's center of mass.

Tethys Centered Coordinates
type: Class
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Tethys's center of mass.

Solar System Centered Coordinates
type: Class
location: BARYCENTER
comment: Reference frame with origin located at Solar System's center of mass.

Body-related Solar Ecliptic Frame
type: Class
comment: Reference frame defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to the body is the primary vector: +X axis points from the body to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to the body is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is the body center of mass. This frame is used for when the body is orbiting in the ecliptic plane.
subclass of: Body-related Solar Orbital Frame

Body-related Solar Orbital Frame
type: Class
comment: Reference frame defined as follows: - The position of the Sun relative to the body is the primary vector: +X axis points from the body to the Sun; - The inertially referenced velocity of the Sun relative to the body is the secondary vector: +Y axis is the component of this velocity vector orthogonal to the +X axis; - +Z axis completes the right-handed system; - the origin of this frame is the body center of mass.