Inhaltsbereich
Section 1.2: Global Geomonitoring and Gravity Field
Head of Section: Dr. F. Flechtner, Dr. C. Förste (temporarily)
Our field is the precise survey of the shape of the Earth, details of its gravitational field and its position in space. For this purpose we develop and operate research satellites and make use of the modern techniques of the terrestrial and airborne gravimetry. In the fields of satellites we are in particular specialised in gravity and altimetry missions on low Earth orbits. We combine these with the high-altitude GNSS system and the LAGEOS satellites.
The shape of our planet deviates substantially from an ideal sphere in many ways: high mountains and deep valleys wrinkle its surface; and the Earth is ellipsoidal because of its rotation, bulging at the equator and flattened at the poles. More interesting from a geophysical point of view, however, are the spatial and temporal variations of the Earth's gravitational field that produce additional deviations from the sphere. In Section 1.2, we observe, analyse and model the gravitational field on all scales of time and space. Our goal is to determine the true shape of the Earth including its variations. Therewith we want to improve the knowledge about the composition and structure of the Earth’s interior. Furthermore we want to broaden the understanding of the dynamical processes inside the Earth and at its surface.
