images

Earth's geoid

by

ESA/Novapix

Reference

t-glb05-00180

Date

2009-01-16

The GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer) mission will measure high-accuracy gravity gradients and provide a global model of the Earth's gravity field and of the geoid. The geoid (the surface of equal gravitational potential of a hypothetical ocean at rest) serves as the classical reference for all topographical features. The accuracy of its determination is important for surveying and geodesy, and in studies of Earth interior processes, ocean circulation, ice motion and sea-level change.