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Odd Zonal Harmonics in the Earth's Gravitational Potential, determined from Fourteen Well Distributed Satellite Orbits

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Abstract

THE zonal harmonics in the Earth's gravitational field indicate its variations with latitude, averaged over all longitudes. The odd zonal harmonics, of degree 3, 5, 7, …, specify that part of the gravitational field which is not symmetrical about the equator and gives rise to the “pear-shape” effect.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Space Department, Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough

    D. G. KING-HELE, G. E. COOK & DIANA W. SCOTT

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  1. D. G. KING-HELE
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  2. G. E. COOK
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  3. DIANA W. SCOTT
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KING-HELE, D., COOK, G. & SCOTT, D. Odd Zonal Harmonics in the Earth's Gravitational Potential, determined from Fourteen Well Distributed Satellite Orbits. Nature 212, 271–272 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/212271b0

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