Lateral density anomalies and the earth's gravitational field

The interpretation of gravity is valuable for understanding lithospheric plate motion and mantle convection. Postulated models of anomalous mass distributions in the earth and the observed geopotential as expressed in the spherical harmonic expansion are compared. In particular, models of the anomalous density as a function of radius are found which can closely match the average magnitude of the spherical harmonic coefficients of a degree. These models include: (1) a two-component model consisting of an anomalous layer at 200 km depth (below the earth's surface) and at 1500 km depth (2) a two-component model where the upper component is distributed in the region between 1000 and 2800 km depth, and(3) a model with density anomalies which continuously increase with depth more than an order of magnitude

A technique for long arc fitting as applied to the IMP 3 orbit

Technique for long arc fitting as applied to IMP 3 orbi

Down-bucklng of a corner of a descending plate

A model of the earth's crust is presented as a set of rigid crustal blocks in which the crust is consumed, compressed, or created only at the boundaries of the blocks. As such the trench boundary moves with respect to the colliding plates because of down-buckling at the corner of the descending plate. It is further shown that this mechanism requires plate consumption of the descending plate at a rate faster than the relative plate motion, which in turn causes infilling of the basin behind the arc to compensate for the increased destruction. It is demonstrated that earthquake, heat flow, paleomagnetic, gravity anomaly, and geologic data derived from Japan and the Sea of Japan support the model

Twinsat earth gravity field mapping

Results of a sensitivity study on the proposed Lo-Lo (Twinsat) satellite-to-satellite tracking mission are described. The relative range-rate signal due to a local gravitational anomaly is investigated as a function of height and satellite separation. It is shown that the signal strength is weak and that an optimal combination of signal strength and resolution is achieved when the satellites are separated by 3 deg along-track. The signal does not resolve point masses closer than 5 deg apart when the satellites are at 300 km altitude. The influence of other factors on the system is evaluated, including the low frequency gravitation field effect on the orbit and the dependence of the noise of the data type on (electronic) integration time

On estimating gravity anomalies: A comparison of least squares collocation with least squares techniques

The least squares collocation algorithm for estimating gravity anomalies from geodetic data is shown to be an application of the well known regression equations which provide the mean and covariance of a random vector (gravity anomalies) given a realization of a correlated random vector (geodetic data). It is also shown that the collocation solution for gravity anomalies is equivalent to the conventional least-squares-Stokes' function solution when the conventional solution utilizes properly weighted zero a priori estimates. The mathematical and physical assumptions underlying the least squares collocation estimator are described, and its numerical properties are compared with the numerical properties of the conventional least squares estimator

Applications of satellite technology to gravity field determination

Various techniques for using satellite technology to determine the earth's gravity field are analyzed and compared. A high-low configuration satellite to satellite tracking mission is recommended for the determination of the long wavelength portion of the gravity field. Satellite altimetry and satellite gradiometry experiments are recommended for determination of the short wavelength portion of the gravity field. The recently developed least squares collocation method for estimating the gravity field from satellite derived data is analyzed and its equivalence to conventional methods is demonstrated

A comparison of satellite systems for gravity field measurements

A detailed and accurate earth gravity field model is important to the understanding of the structure and composition of the earth's crust and upper mantle. Various satellite-based techniques for providing more accurate models of the gravity field are analyzed and compared. A high-low configuration satellite-to-satellite tracking mission is recommended for the determination of both the long wavelength and short wavelength portions of the field. Satellite altimetry and satellite gradiometry missions are recommended for determination of the short wavelength portion of the field

The Goddard Version of the Schubart-stumpff N-body Program

Goddard version of Schubart-Stumpff N-Body program for computation of solar system orbit

The Response to Brecheen v. Reynolds: Oklahoma’s System For Evaluating Extra-Record Constitutional Claims In Death Penalty Cased

This article attempts to define the “abuse of discretion” standard of review. The article begins by distinguishing the three types of appellate review. It then focuses on review of discretion. Articles written by Professors Maurice Rosenburg, Robert C. Post, and Judge Henery J. Friendly are next analyzed in order to further evaluate judicial discretionary decisionmaking. Caselaw is next used to discuss how courts have attempted to define and apply the abuse of discretion standard. Primary cases considered include Chevron U.S.A. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Pierce v. Underwood, Cooter & Gell v. Hartmarx Corp., and Koon v. United States. Finally, practical advice is offered for practitioners facing an unclear standard of review