Differential Geodesy of the Eotvos Torsion Balance

Abstract

The differential geodesy of the Eotvos torsion balance is examined by using the fourth and fifth fundamental tensors of the geopotential surfaces of a rotating Earth. It is shown that both these tensors involve curvature differences which are measureable by the Eotvos torsion balance. This suggest that the inability to determine the individual curvatures is not only a physical limitation, but also a geometric one. The fundamental tensors are expressed using the Hotine 2-leg formalism and their components are explicity exhibited for the case of a spheroid. Keywords: Curvatures; Eotvos torsion balance; Hotine formalism.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 26, 1989
Accession Number
ADA208711

Entities

People

  • J. D. Zund

Organizations

  • New Mexico State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Cartesian Coordinates
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Curvature
  • Differential Geometry
  • Earth Sciences
  • Equations
  • Geometric Forms
  • Geometry
  • Geophysical Prospecting
  • Geophysics
  • Geopotential
  • Gravity
  • Grids
  • Lines (Geometry)
  • New York
  • United States

Readers

  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Quantum Chemistry
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.