An excitation mechanism for the free 'core nutation'

The earth is believed to possess a free nutational mode due to its rotating, elliptical, fluid core, with an eigenfrequency of approximately (1 + 1/460) cycle per sidereal day as seen from the sidereally rotating earth. This free 'core nutation' has not yet been undisputably observed. Furthermore, there has been considerable doubt that any known mechanism could excite this mode to an observable level. It is shown here that diurnal atmospheric and oceanic loading of the earth's surface provides an efficient excitation mechanism which depends critically on the physical damping of the mode. Possible effects of the mode on geodetic measurements are discussed. The effects of 'wobble' and 'nutation' on astrometric observations are also considered.