Geometrical Geodesy

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of this course is the study of the shape of the earth, the ellipsoidal model and its geometry, the basic geodetic problems. Observations, reference systems and coordinates. Geodetic datum. Observation reductions. Coordinates and datum transformations. Introduction to Physical and Space Geodesy. Geodetic networks. Applications.

Basic course goals:

• Basic geodetic applications in earth’s ellipsoidal model
• Geodetic reference systems and ellipsoid geometry
• Reference surfaces in Geodesy
• Coordinates estimation and transformation in various datums
• Estimation and assessment of geodetic transformation parameters
• Horizontal and Vertical datum
• Observations reductions to the ellipsoid or the map

 

General Competences

• Search for, analysis and synthesis of data and information,
• with the use of the necessary technology
• Decision-making
• Working independently
• Production of free, creative and inductive thinking

 

SYLLABUS

Historical aspects of Geodesy. Reference surfaces (sphere, ellipsoid, geoid). Point positioning. Earth motion (revolution, polar motion). Best fitting of an ellipsoid to the geoid surface. Geocentric ellipsoid, geodetic ellipsoid. Ellipsoidal parameters. Reference systems. Geodetic Cartesian and ellipsoid coordinates. Geocentric and geodetic reference systems, local astronomical (physical) and geodetic system. Deflection of the vertical. Coordinate transformations. Geodetic datum definition. Inertial and celestial reference systems. Time systems (solar, sidereal time, UTC, GPS time). Astronomical latitude and longitude. Ellipsoidal geometry. Radii of curvature. Meridian arc length. Parallel arc length. Lines on the ellipsoid. Normal section. Geodesic. Observation reductions to the ellipsoid. Plumb line and vertical. Angle and distance reductions. Geodetic networks. Observation equations on the ellipsoid. Geodetic network adjustments. Physical Geodesy. Height systems. Introduction to Earth’s gravity field. Gravity potential and gravity acceleration. Equipotential surfaces and the geoid. Mean Sea Level. Gravity field approximations. Geoid estimation methods. Combination of heights (N, h, H).

 

STUDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

The final course evaluation is based on written examination with short-answer questions, problem solving and laboratory work
Language of evaluation: Greek (English if needed, e.g., Erasmus+ students)

 

ATTACHED BIBLIOGRAPHY

– Suggested bibliography:
1. Bomford G, 1980. Geodesy. 4th Edition. Clarendon Press, Oxford.
2. Heiskanen W. A., Moritz H., 1967. Physical Geodesy. Freeman & Co, San Francisco.
3. Torge W., 2001. Geodesy. 3rd Edition. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin.
4. Vanicek P., Krakiwsky E., 1992. Geodesy: The Concepts. Elsevier, New York.

– Related academic journals:
1. Journal of Geodesy
2. Journal of Geodetic Sciences
3. IAG Series publications