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ASTR0213-1

Geometric Geodesy and Positional Astronomy


Duration :30h Th, 15h Pr, 1d FW
Credits/ECTS :
2nd year of a Bachelor's degree in geographical sciences, general orientation5
2nd "candidature" in geographical sciences (geomatics et geometrology option)5
Holder(s) :René Warnant
Course contents : The first part of the course gives a brief introduction to Positional Astronomy :

- Astronomical coordinates and their determination.

- Precession - nutations

- Kepler's laws

- Time scales

The second part is dedicated to Geodesy :

- Geometric Geodesy : triangulation, reference ellipsoid, Datum definition.

- Space Geodesy : Doppler method (DORIS, TRANSIT), Satellite Laser Ranging, Very Long Baseline Interferometry, Satellite Altimetry (Topex /Posseidon, Jason), gradiometry (Grace).

- Introduction to the Global Positioning System (GPS).

- Dynamical Geodesy : Terrestrial gravitational field, Geoid and its determination, Clairaut's Theory, Mean Sea Level, Gravimetry et Gravimetric anomalies.

- Earth and Ocean Tides : Laplace's Theory, Tides of a rigid and of an elastic Earth, Love's numbers.
Course objective : The course gives an introduction to the main concepts used in Positional Astronomy and in Geodesy. The student will be able to define correctly these concepts, to explain the links between these concepts and to use them to solve practical problems encountered in Geometrology. An important part of the course is dedicated to Space Geodesy and, in particular, to the Global Positioning System. The course highlights the added value of space techniques in Geodesy. The student will be able to compare the different techniques used in Space Geodesy, their main advantages, disadvantages and complementarities. In addition, the different error sources affecting the techniques used in Space Geodesy are discussed.
Prerequisites : Basic Physics course (Wave Physics and Mechanics) and Mathematics.
Organization : The course is organized in 11 lectures of 4 hours given each week (wednesday morning) during the first semester.
Written notes : Lectures notes are available (in French).
Assessment : Oral exam on the material seen during the theorical lectures.
Contacts : Pr. René Warnant
Royal Observatory of Belgium
Avenue Circulaire, 3
B-1180 Brussels (Belgium)
Tel : 02/373.02.51

E-mail : R.Warnant@oma.be or Rene.Warnant@ulg.ac.be




ULg : Students and Studies Administration - Academic Affairs
Contact : Monique Marcourt, direction A.E.E.
Date of data : 27/02/2006
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