Measuring Gravity - GOCE Fly

GOCE Fly!



The GOCE satellite was successfully launched yesterday after a halt of the launching the day before just 7 seconds before liftoff. So far all is good. Then we'll see if the instruments on board the satellite will function as well and give us unprecedented information about Earth's gravity. :-)

GOCE Delayed

The GOCE Thriller




Credit: ESA


What do you know! GOCE was delayed again. This time it was a really close race. I wrote a short piece on the topic with a personal twist over at my scientificblogging.com column.

And I only serve you the nice BLUE image of GOCE here. :-)



ESA's Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE)

GOCE

The Earth Is Not Round



It's Not Flat Either! :-)

GOCE

Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer




The Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) is dedicated to measuring the Earth's gravity field and modelling the geoid with extremely high accuracy and spatial resolution.

A precise model of the Earth's geoid is crucial for deriving accurate measurements of ocean circulation, sea-level change and terrestrial ice dynamics - all of which are affected by climate change. The geoid is also used as a reference surface from which to map all topographical features on the planet. More information about the geoid can be found in 10 reasons why Al Gore needs the geoid. Warning: The latter link is self promotion :-)

GOCE

GOCE ready to go.



Credit: European Space Agency - ESA/AOES Medialab

ESA Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer - GOCE



This is one of the most important events for geodesy and earth observation in general in a long long time.

The Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) is dedicated to measuring the Earth's gravity field and modelling the geoid with extremely high accuracy and spatial resolution.

Launching GOCE made it to my list of the Top 8 Earth Observation Events 2008. You can read more about GOCE here too.