Course Details

Physical Geodesy

Academic Year 2023/24

NEA047-A course is part of 1 study plan

NPC-GK Summer Semester 2nd 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.

Course Guarantor

Institute

Objective

Knowledge of physical fundaments of geodesy. Overview of traditional and contemporary methods of physical geodesy. Acquaintance with contemporary techniques for determination of Earth´s physical parameters.

Knowledge

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

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.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of the basics of geophysics and higher geodesy.

Language of instruction

English

Credits

5 credits

Semester

summer

Forms and criteria of assessment

course-unit credit and examination

Offered to foreign students

Not to offer

Course on BUT site

Lecture

13 weeks, 2 hours/week, elective

Exercise

13 weeks, 2 hours/week, elective