Short-time-scale features of the Earth’s polar motion

The fundamental astrometric problem of high-accuracy interpolation and forecasting of the Earth’s polar motion on short time scales from 1–2 to 10–30 days is studied. Hierarchies of interval length and parameter accuracy are established using appropriate models for the process. Filtering algorithms are adjusted using a weighted least squares fit of measurements of the International Earth Rotation Service (IERS). Best-fit estimates for the main features of the motion are obtained for various time intervals; interpolations and forecasts are compared with the IERS measurements.