Course Details

Physical Geodesy

Academic Year 2024/25

DEB058 course is part of 4 study plans

​ DKA-GK Summer Semester 1st year

​ DPA-GK Summer Semester 1st year

​ DKC-GK Summer Semester 1st year

​ DPC-GK Summer Semester 1st year

Fundamentals of gravity potential theory Gravity potential of a general body in outer potential point. Spherical harmonic functions and Legendre´s functions. Poisson´s equation, Laplace´s equation and some of the solutions. Field of centrifugal force of the rotating Earth. Field of tidal forces. Earth´s gravity field. Gravity potential level surfaces of gravity potential. Fundamentals of theory of heights. Stokes´ parameters and their determination. Normal gravity and gravity force field of level spheroids. Earth´s normal gravity field. Measurement of fundamental gravity field parameters. Statistical methods of physical geodesy. Interpolation and extrapolation of gravity anomalies. Modern methods for determination of the Earth´s shape. Fundamentals of Earth´s composition, tidal phemomena, local and regional geodynamics. Earth´s magnetic and thermal field. Practical applications of physical geodesy application in global view.

Credits

7 credits

Language of instruction

Czech

Semester

summer

Course Guarantor

prof. Ing. Viliam Vatrt, DrSc.

Institute

Institute of Geodesy

Forms and criteria of assessment

examination

Entry Knowledge

Fundamental principles of geophysics, astronomy and gravitational theory at the level of bachelor´s and master´s degree.

Aims

Znalost fyzikálních základů geodézie. Přehled tradičních a současných metod fyzikální geodézie. Seznámení se současnými technikami určování fyzikálních parametrů Země.


Student will study basic issues of physical geodesy, geopotential models and satellite methods for their creation.

Basic Literature

Hofmann-Wellenhof, B., Moritz, H.: Physical geodesy. Springer, 2005. (en)

Recommended Reading

Burša, M., Kostelecký, J.: Space Geodesy and Space Geodynamics. Ministry of Defence CR, 1999. (en)
Burša, M.: Geopotenciál, teoretické základy a modely. Učebnice, díl I, Geografická služba AČR, 2004. (cs)
Burša, M., Vatrt, V., Vojtíšková, M.: Geopotenciál, díl II, Modely a jejich využití v praxi, Geografická služba AČR, 2012. (en)
Hofmann-Wellenhof, B., Moritz, H.: Physical geodesy. Springer, 2005. (en)
Pick, M.: Advanced Physical Geodesy and Gravimetry. Ministry of Defence CR, 2000. (en)

Offered to foreign students

Not to offer

Course on BUT site

https://www.vut.cz/en/students/courses/detail/284845

Lecture

13 weeks, 3 hours/week, elective

Syllabus

  • 1. Gravity potential theory. Spherical harmonic functions and Legendre´s functions. Poisson´s equation, Laplace´s equation and some of the solutions.
  • 2. Field of centrifugal force of the rotating Earth. Field of tidal forces. Earth´s gravity field. Gravity potential level surfaces of gravity potential.
  • 3. Theory of heights. Stokes´ parameters and their determination. Normal gravity and gravity force field of level spheroids.
  • 4. Earth´s normal gravity field. Measurement of fundamental gravity field parameters.
  • 5. Modern methods for determination of the Earth´s shape.
  • 6. Tidal phenomena, local and regional geodynamics. Earth´s magnetic and thermal field.
  • 7. Practical applications of physical geodesy methods.