Planetary geodesy

Abstract

This report, which follows the general format of reports by J. D. Anderson [1975] and W. H. Michael [1979], deals with geodetic parameters of the planets and their satellites (including the Moon but not the Earth): shape, rotation, orientation, and gravity. A paper by Ferrari and Bills [1979] covers similar material as Michael [1979], but contains additional comments on geophysics. Three review articles, which provided a helpful base for the references reported here, are Harris and Ward [1982], Phillips and Lambeck [1980], and Balmino [1981]. A very basic document covering all planetary bodies and their satellites is the report of the International Astronomical Union Working Group [Davies, et al, 1982], which provides new values for cartographic coordinates, orientations, and rotations.

Planetary Geodesy

“…This report briefly summarizes the major published work of this period, tabulates the most recent published values of masses, radii, and gravity, and lists major references for the interval. Previous quadrennial reports include Kaula [1975], Anderson [1975], Ferrari and Bills [1979], Sjogren [1983], and Bills and Synnott [1987].…”

A determination of the parameters of the level surface of lunar gravity

“…Beyond f30" latitude and the lunar far-side these data are very sparse or non existent (Sjogren, 1986;Bills and Ferrari, 1977). Nevertheless, a harmonic analysis has been applied.…”