THE EARTH'S GRAVITY FIELD DEDUCED FROM THE DOPPLER TRACKING OF FIVE SATELLITES,
Abstract
Using orbital determinations and data residuals from the Doppler tracking of five satellites, we deduce values for the zonal harmonics of odd degree through the ninth, the non-zonal harmonics of all degrees from the second through the eighth, and the sectorial harmonics of degree 13. Combining these with values given by King-Hele for the zonal harmonics of even degree, we compute a shape of the geoid and study the distribution of the magnitudes of the harmonics. We find that the harmonics of the geoid have no apparent relation with the harmonics of the topography. We also find that the harmonic coefficients of the geoid are consistent with random density variations, having negligible spatial correlation beyond about 0.01 Re, that begin near the top of the mantle and continue to an undertermined depth. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0459051
Entities
People
- R. R. Newton
- W. H. Guier
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University