Satellite Creates First Global Gravity Map of Earth (light, Mars)

[Brian.Pearson]

The GOCE satellite, which stands for Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer, makes super-precise measurements of the gravitational field. It flies in a dangerously low polar orbit, coming close to falling out of the sky, BBC reports.


It carries three pairs of platinum blocks inside a gradiometer instrument, which can sense the smallest gravitational effects -- as wee as 1 part in 10,000,000,000,000 of the gravity experienced on Earth.

[Submariner]

The 'first'?

Perhaps the first of that exact model.

Neat though.

[GloryB]

It's not as smooth as you might think -- gravity is slightly different in different parts of the globe.

How interesting!! I had no idea.

[Submariner]

Detecting and mapping gravity variations is one method used to navigate submarines.

[Brian.Pearson]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Detecting and mapping gravity variations is one method used to navigate submarines.

I didn't know that. It would be interesting if subs and other ships would record measurements as they travel the various seas.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by Brian.Pearson

I didn't know that. It would be interesting if subs and other ships would record measurements as they travel the various seas.

Do you mean like a 'map'?

In the Navy we call those 'charts'.

They began doing recording and compiling those charts in the 1960s.
But did not really put them to heavy use for reliable navigation until the early 1970s.
I reported to my first sub in 1978, I worked in sub Navigation, I retired in 2001.



ET1 SS - USN Retired
USS George C. Marshall SSBN 654
USS Simon Lake AS-33
USS Casimir Pulaski SSBN 633
USS Alaska SSBN 732