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Earth science expert and astrophysicist writes about Earth observation, geodesy, climate change, geohazards, water cycle and other science related topics.
I've worked as Research Director...
Full Bio
Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer - GOCE will be launched in a few weeks (10 September 2008). It is one of the biggest event within
geodesy this year, hell probably in the
history of geodesy. GOCE will improve our knowledge of this planet's gravity so that we eventually can all compare heights based on the same height reference system. And many other cool applications will come out of us knowing our gravity field in more detail also from
remote areas such as the Tibetan plateau.
If you are into rocket launching, here is another exciting event to
follow directly on the internet. It is a shame that ESA's site is less visited than NASA. There are lots and lots of interesting stuff to read, look at and watch (videos). Use this event to learn more about another great space agency. :-)
Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) will be the first of a series of Earth Explorer satellites in orbit, designed to provide information for understanding critical Earth system variables.
Check out the GOCE launching!
originally I was a little surprised that the height of Everest could vary by over 5 meters depending on how you measured it...but when you actually look at the kind of percent error that generates, it's pretty dang small! (.05%?).
I was surprised to find that the new system has an accuracy of 1-2 cm vs 5m! Pretty amazing.
How was this accuracy determined, and will the same accuracy hold true for when you are measuring things on a much bigger scale?
How long before GOCE goes to the moon?
I'd love to see an article on how this technology will be used in astrophysics...what's it going to do in space and on other planets!