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Influence of gravity field uncertainties on the results from POGO and Magsat geomagnetic surveysErrors in the gravity models used in satellite position calculations are examined as a possible source of the 0 to 100% variance found between POGO and Magsat magnetic data and the extrapolations of aerial magnetic survey data to satellite heights. For POGO data obtained over the New York Bight region using a relatively poor gravity field (a hybrid spherical harmonic model of degree 7 and order 6 with three higher order resonance terms), the magnitude of the error in the satellite height component is found to be sufficient to account for the amplitude of the discrepancy, however the frequency of the quasi-periodic orbital error is too large to explain the localized nature of the differences. For the case of the Magsat satellite, in which a more accurate gravity model was used, it is found that a 30 mgal gravitational anomaly distributed over a 5 x 5 deg area will produce insufficiently large position errors to account for the variations. The agreement between the two sets of satellite data in the New York Bight region suggests either a consistent error in satellite measurements, or problems with the reduction and processing of the aeromagnetic data.
Document ID
19820033445
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Taylor, P. T.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Langel, R. A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Kahn, W. D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Earth Survey Applications Div., Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Schanzle, A. F.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Jones, T. L.
(EG & G Washington Analytical Services Center Inc., Riverdale, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 8
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
82A16980
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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