The New I.A.U. System of Galactic Coordinates (1958 Revision)

The definition of a new system of galactic coordinates was recently announced by Sub-Commission 33b on behalf of the I.A.U. The present paper is the first of a series of five, which together form the final report of the Sub-Commission. It summarizes the observational evidence, given in detail in the other papers, relevant to setting up the new system, it discusses various considerations which were taken into account, and it concludes with a definition of the new system.