Lehrinhalte
Space geodesy provides the measurements for kinematic models of space and time and delivers the results in terms of coordinates or more refined in terms of products, such as geodetic reference frames or time series of Earth orientation parameters. Space geodesy deals with the global geodetic reference frames and their relations with local reference frames attached to satellites or through reference points of ground-based observatories. Parametric systems that provide the mathematical basis for geodetic reference frames will be introduced. Since some properties of space are determined through relativistic calculations, a few theoretical physical elements will be considered as well.
In this module students acquire knowledge about the mathematical foundations applied in geodesy and in related disciplines, such as astronomy or geosciences. Topics include coordinate systems, reference systems, reference frames and the corresponding transformations. Differential geometry and projections on rotational ellipsoids provide the metric basis for classical geodetic reference frames using ellipsoidal coordinates. Practical examples are also part of this module.
In the integrated exercise the following topics will be treated:
- Ellipsoidal coordinates, various Earth ellipsoids (WGS84, GRS80, BESSEL) and transformations between them
- The different latitudes (ellipsoidal, geocentric, reduced) and the conversions between them
- Geodesics on an ellipsoid of revolution, direct or first geodetic problem
- Geodesics on an ellipsoid of revolution, indirect or second geodetic problem
- Numerical integration, methods and examples for meridian arc length computation
- Meridian strip projection, Transverse Mercator projection, Gauß-Krüger coordinates
- Universal Transverse Mercator System (UTM)
- Other projections
This course is designed for students wishing to specialize in SGN. However, everyone interested in applied mathematical basics of space geodesy is welcome to take part in the course.
