Final report of EURAMET.M.G-K3 regional comparison of absolute gravimeters

The regional key comparison of absolute gravimeters, EURAMET.M.G-K3 and the simultaneously organized additional comparison, was held in Germany at the Geodetic Observatory Wettzell of the German Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy in the spring of 2018.Here we present the list of the participants who actually performed measurements during the comparison, the data submitted by the operators as well as the results of the determination of the gravity as a function of height at the comparison sites. The measurement strategy is briefly discussed and the results of the data harmonization is documented. Finally, the results of the constrained least squares adjustment are presented including the degrees of equivalence of each gravimeter and the key comparison reference values.Main textTo reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).Export citation and abstract BibTeX RIS

Regional comparison of absolute gravimeters, EURAMET.M.G-K2 key comparison

In the framework of the regional EURAMET.M.G-K2 comparison of absolute gravimeters, 17 gravimeters were compared in November 2015. Four gravimeters were from different NMIs and DIs, they were used to link the regional comparison to the CCM.G.K2 by means of linking converter. Combined least-squares adjustments with weighted constraint was used to determine KCRV. Several pilot solutions are presented and compared with the official solution to demonstrate influences of different approaches (e.g. definition of weights and the constraint) on results of the adjustment. In case of the official solution, all the gravimeters are in equivalence with declared uncertainties. == Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report [http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/final_reports/M/G-K2/EURAMET.M.G-K2.pdf] . Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/ [http://kcdb.bipm.org/] . The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA)

Vertical gravity gradient determination for the needs of contemporary absolute gravity measurements - first results

Current development of gravimetric measurement technologies gives an opportunity to determine absolute gravity value with high precision, also in field conditions. In particular, it concerns gravity determination with the use of the A 10 free-fall gravimeter manufactured by Micro-g Solutions. Surveys with the A 10 as well as with FG5 gravimeters require precise determination of vertical gravity gradient in order to properly reduce the measured gravity value, e.g. to the benchmark level. A special stand of multiple levels (20 cm interval) for vertical gradient determination had been designed and constructed in the Institute of Geodesy and Cartography (IGiK), Warsaw. The stand enables the determination of the vertical gravity gradient on every station where the measurement with the A10 can be performed. First results of vertical gradient determinations at the Polish National Gravity Control points in Borowa Gora Geodetic-Geophysical Observatory (two laboratory and one field station) with the use of the stand developed are presented in the paper. Results of measurements on multiple levels were fitted with linear and nonlinear model and compared with vertical gravity gradients determined in the year 2000, based on the measurements using a standard tripod. Measurement methodology with the use of the stand has been proposed

Nowa osnowa grawimetryczna w Polsce – potrzeby, koncepcja i projekt

The existing Polish gravity control (POGK) established in the last few years of 20th century according to the international standards is spanned on 12 absolute gravity stations surveyed with four different types of absolute gravimeters. Relative measurements performed by various groups on nearly 350 points of POGK with the use of LaCoste&Romberg (LCR) gravimeters were linked to those 12 stations. The construction of the network, in particular the limited number of non homogeneously distributed absolute gravity stations with gravity determined with different instruments in different epochs is responsible for systematic errors in g on POGK stations. The estimate of those errors with the use of gravity measurements performed in 2007-2008 is given and their possible sources are discussed. The development of absolute gravity measurement technologies, in particular instruments for precise field absolute gravity measurements, provides an opportunity to establish new type of gravity control consisting of stations surveyed with absolute gravimeters. New gravity control planned to be established in 2012-2014 will consist of 28 fundamental points (surveyed with the FG5 - gravimeter), and 169 base points (surveyed with the A10 gravimeter). It will fulfill recent requirements of geodesy and geodynamics and it will provide good link to the existing POGK. A number of stations of the new gravity control with precisely determined position and height will form the national combined geodetic network. Methodology and measurement schemes for both absolute gravimeters as well as the technology for vertical gravity gradient determinations in the new gravity control were developed and tested. The way to assure proper gravity reference level with relation to ICAG and ECAG campaigns as well as local absolute gravimeter comparisons are described highlighting the role of metrology in the project. Integral part of the project are proposals of re-computation of old gravity data and their transformation to a new system (as 2nd order network) as well as a definition of gravity system as “zero-tide” system. Seasonal variability of gravity has been discussed indicating that the effects of environmental changes when establishing modern gravity control with absolute gravity survey cannot be totally neglected.Założona w Polsce w ostatniej dekadzie XX wieku zgodnie z obowiązującymi standardami międzynarodowymi Podstawowa Osnowa Grawimetryczna Kraju (POGK), składająca się z około 350 punktów, została oparta na 12 absolutnych punktach grawimetrycznych, na których przyspieszenie siły ciężkości wyznaczono przy użyciu czterech różnych typów grawimetrów absolutnych. Względne pomiary grawimetryczne na punktach tej osnowy, z jednoczesnym dowiązaniem jej do przyspieszenia siły ciężkości na 12 absolutnych punktach grawimetrycznych, wykonały różne grupy pomiarowe przy wykorzystaniu grawimetrów LaCoste&Romberg (LCR). Konstrukcja powstałej sieci grawimetrycznej, w szczególności ograniczona liczba nierównomiernie rozłożonych punktów absolutnych na terenie kraju, na których w dodatku przyspieszenie siły ciężkości wyznaczono różnymi instrumentami w różnych epokach, spowodowały wystąpienie błędów systematycznych w wartościach g na punktach POGK. W niniejszej pracy, przy wykorzystaniu pomiarów grawimetrycznych wykonanych w latach 2007-2008 dokonano oceny tych błędów oraz przeprowadzono dyskusję ich możliwych źródeł. Rozwój technologii absolutnych pomiarów grawimetrycznych, w szczególności instrumentów przeznaczonych do precyzyjnych absolutnych pomiarów grawimetrycznych w warunkach polowych, stwarza możliwość założenia nowego typu osnowy grawimetrycznej, składającej się ze stacji, na których przyspieszenie siły ciężkości jest pomierzone grawimetrami absolutnymi. Nowa osnowa grawimetryczna Polski, która będzie zakładana w latach 2012-2014, będzie się składała z 28 punktów fundamentalnych (mierzonych grawimetrem FG5) i 169 punktów bazowych (mierzonych grawimetrem A10). Będzie ona spełniała wymagania współczesnej geodezji i geodynamiki oraz zapewniała dobre powiązanie z istniejącą osnową POGK. Znaczna liczba punktów nowej osnowy grawimetrycznej, o precyzyjnie wyznaczonej pozycji wysokości utworzy krajową zintegrowaną osnowę geodezyjną. Opracowano i przetestowano metodologie i procedury pomiarowe na punktach nowej osnowy grawimetrycznej dla obu grawimetrów absolutnych (FG5, A10) oraz technologie wyznaczania gradientu pionowego przyspieszenia siły ciężkości na tych punktach. Określono metody zapewnienia odpowiedniego poziomu grawimetrycznego osnowy poprzez udział grawimetrów FG5 i A10 w międzynarodowej (ICAG) i europejskiej (ECAG), a także lokalnych kampaniach porównawczych grawimetrów absolutnych podkreślając jednocześnie rolę metrologii w projekcie. Integralnymi częściami projektu są zamierzenia przeliczenia archiwalnych danych grawimetrycznych wykorzystywanych przy tworzeniu POGK i ich przetransformowania do nowego systemu (jako sieć 2 rzędu) oraz zdefiniowania nowego systemu grawimetrycznego jako systemu „zero-tide”. Przeprowadzono również dyskusję zmienności sezonowej przyspieszenia siły ciężkości wskazując, że przy wyznaczaniu przyspieszenia siły ciężkości na punktach nowoczesnej osnowy grawimetrycznej wpływ zmian środowiskowych nie może być traktowany jako w pełni zaniedbywalny

Effect of laser and clock stability and meteorological conditions on gravity surveyed with the A10 free-fall gravimeter - first results

The Institute of Geodesy and Cartography in Warsaw, Poland, operates the A10-020 free-fall portable gravimeter since November 2008. Numerous gravity measurements with the A10-020 gravimeter, conducted under both laboratory and field conditions, provide a unique material for the estimation of accuracy as well as reliability of the determined gravity. Time series of regular, monthly measurements conducted with the A10-020 at the Borowa Gora Geodetic-Geophysical Observatory for over two years at two laboratory test sites and one field station has been analysed in terms of their internal consistency and compliance with the previous measurements performed with a few other absolute gravimeters (mainly FG5). The results of a number of calibrations of both, the rubidium oscillator and the polarization-stabilized laser interferometer of the A10-020 were considered in the analysis. The effect of applying the frequency standard as well as laser interferometer calibration data on the quality of gravity determined was investigated. In addition, the impact of weather conditions as well as variability of metrological parameters on surveyed gravity was taken into consideration when evaluating accuracy and reliability of gravity survey with the A10 gravimeter. Also the possibility of the occurrence of gross errors in gravity determination with the A10 gravimeter was discussed

Regional comparison of absolute gravimeters, EURAMET.M.G-K2 key comparison

In the framework of the regional EURAMET.M.G-K2 comparison of absolute gravimeters, 17 gravimeters were compared in November 2015. Four gravimeters were from different NMIs and DIs, they were used to link the regional comparison to the CCM.G.K2 by means of linking converter. Combined least-squares adjustments with weighted constraint was used to determine KCRV. Several pilot solutions are presented and compared with the official solution to demonstrate influences of different approaches (e.g. definition of weights and the constraint) on results of the adjustment. In case of the official solution, all the gravimeters are in equivalence with declared uncertainties