Physical Geodesy

Syllabus

1. Introduction (3 hours)
   1. Geodesy and its types
   2. Historical development of geodesy
   3. Organization of geodesy; International collaboration
   4. Geodesy in Nepal
   5. Geodetic and gravimetric networks
2. Reference System and Reference Frame (6 hours)
   1. Reference coordinate system
   2. Rotation and reflection matrices
   3. Transformation between systems with different origins and orientations
   4. Transformation between local and global systems
   5. International reference systems and reference frames
   6. International earth rotation and reference system service
3. Gravity Field of the Earth (6 hours)
   1. Gravity and gravity potential
   2. Equipotential surfaces and plumb line
   3. The geoid
   4. Mean sea level and mean dynamic topography
   5. Height systems used in geodesy
   6. Geopotential number
   7. Dynamic heights
   8. Orthometric heights
   9. Normal heights
4. Geodetic Astronomy and Time Systems (6 hours)
   1. Celestial sphere
   2. Horizon system
   3. Right ascension system
   4. Hour angle system
   5. Ecliptic system
   6. Transformations between celestial systems
   7. Time and motion
   8. Sidereal time
   9. Universal (Solar) time
   10. Conversion of time
5. Mathematical Concepts of Geodesy (6 hours)
   1. Basic ellipsoidal geometry
   2. The concept of a best-fitting ellipsoid
   3. Common reference ellipsoids
   4. Normal section
   5. Ellipsoid-meridian and parallel arcs
6. Gravity Reduction and Gravity Field Determination (9 hours)
   1. Residual gravity field
   2. Fundamentals of gravity field modelling
   3. Local and regional gravity field modelling
   4. Gravity reduction to the geoid
   5. Deflection of vertical and Laplace equation
   6. Ellipsoid, geoid, and anomaly of the gravity
   7. Correction due to the heights of the points
   8. Free air anomaly
   9. Boyger anomaly
   10. Isotasy
   11. Earth tide correction
   12. Global gravity field modelling
   13. Satellite gravity field modelling
7. Gravity Measurement Methods (6 hours)
   1. Atmospheric, tropospheric and ionospheric refraction
   2. Satellite observations
   3. Direction, range, and range-rate (Doppler, DORIS) measurements
   4. Laser distance measurement
   5. Satellite gravity missions
   6. Very long baseline interferometry
   7. Gravimetry
   8. Absolute and relative gravimeters
   9. Quantum gravimetry
   10. Gravity reference systems and gravity standard
   11. Gravity gradiometry
   12. Continuous gravity measurement
8. Geodesy Challenges and Future Perspectives (3 hours)
   1. Challenges and goals
   2. Scientific challenges and future perspectives
   3. Technological development of observing systems
   4. Methodology, analysis and modelling
   5. Data products and applications
   6. Way forward and Nepalese context