Course detail

Space Geodesy 2

FAST-NEA035Acad. year: 2022/2023

Earth in space
Earth's rotation, its irregularities, rotational times
Spherical coordinate systems
Proper motion, parallax, aberration, refraction, ephemeris of stars and solar system bodies
Astronomical determination of azimuth, astronomical determination of position
Other satellite geodesy techniques (VLBI, SLR, satellite altimetry, DORIS, satellite gravity missions, InSAR)

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Department

Institute of Geodesy (GED)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The aim of the course is to expand students' knowledge in the field of space geodesy.
Students will learn, among other things:
- Spherical coordinate systems and transformation between them,
- rotational times,
- the precession-nutation motion of the Earth's axis,
- classical and modern instruments of geodetic astronomy,
- other space geodesy techniques (VLBI, SLR, satellite altimetry, DORIS, satellite gravity missions, InSAR).
In addition, they will get practical experience in determination of astronomical azimuth from measurements at Polaris.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of Cosmic Geodesy 1, knowledge of spherical trigonometry, theory of free nutation.

Co-requisites

none

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching of the course consists of lectures and exercises. The exercises include computational and practical problems in space geodesy.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Students' knowledge is continuously verified in exercises by assigning independently solved problems.
Knowledge at the end of the semester is verified by an exam. It has a written and an oral part. The condition for admission to the oral part is obtaining at least 50% of points in the written part. 

Course curriculum

1) Universe, distances in space, stellar magnitude, celestial sphere
2) Spherical coordinate systems and transformations between them, prominent positions
3) Chronometry - rotational times, calendar
4) Precession motion, pole motion, IERS
5) Proper motion, parallax, aberration, refraction, ephemerides of stars and solar system bodies
6) Astronomical determination of azimuth
7) Astronomical determination of position
8) VLBI, Doppler methods
9) Satellite altimetry, Laser ranging
10) Satellite Gravity Projects, InSAR

Work placements

none

Aims

The aim of the course is to extend the information from Space Geodesy 1, especially in the area of description of the Earth as part of the Universe and description of some other important techniques of space geodesy. 

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Lectures are optional, attendance at excercises is compulsory.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Fixel, J., Machotka, R., HE01_M02 Geodetická astronomie a kosmická geodézie I, Geodetická astronomie, studijní opora, VUT FAST 2007 (CS)
Machotka, R., Fixel, J., HE01 Geodetická astronomie a kosmická geodézie I, Teoretický úvod, el. text, FAST (CS)
Machotka, R., Fixel, J., HE01 Geodetická astronomie a kosmická geodézie I, Vybrané techniky, el. text, FAST (CS)
Seeber, G.: Satellite Geodesy, 2nd edition. De Gruyter, Berlin/New York 2003 (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme NPC-GK Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1) Universe, distances in space, stellar magnitude, celestial sphere
2) Spherical coordinate systems and transformations between them, prominent positions
3) Chronometry - rotational times, calendar
4) Precession motion, pole motion, IERS
5) Proper motion, parallax, aberration, refraction, ephemerides of stars and solar system bodies
6) Astronomical determination of azimuth
7) Astronomical determination of position
8) VLBI, Doppler methods
9) Satellite altimetry, Laser ranging
10) Satellite Gravity Projects, InSAR

Exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer