Accuracy of potential coefficients determinations from satellite altimetry and terrestrial gravity
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Abstract
Satellite altimetry data is treated in this paper as if it gave direct determinations of geoid undulations. These undulations are related to potential coefficients in a model that permits determinations of the potential coefficients in a weighted least squares sense from such data, and in combination with terrestrial gravity data. The accuracy of potential coefficient determinations from various data accuracies and data combinations were investigated. From these accuracies conclusions are drawn on the problem of what is the highest degree potential coefficient that can be found from given data. For example, if we had global altimetry data to ± 1m or ± 5m in 1° x 1° blocks we could solve for potential coefficients to degrees 114 and 51 respectively. In carrying out simulation studies with non-global data it was concluded that altimetry data could not be used alone for potential coefficient determinations because of a severe aliasing effect. Consequently the altimetry data was combined with geoid undulation information in non-ocean blocks and with existing terrestrial gravity data.
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Prepared for Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, Air Force Systems Command, United States Air Force, Bedford, Massachusetts: Contract No. F19628-69-C-0127, Project No. 7600, Task No. 760002, 04