DEFLEC96

DEFLEC96 is a companion product derived from GEOID96. The geoid is a surface of constant potential which conforms to sea level in an average sense. Deflections of the vertical are the slopes associated with the Earth's equipotential layers. The deflection of the vertical is the departure a plumb bob would take from vertical defined by an ideal ellipsoidal Earth. These quantities are typically a few arc seconds, but can reach an arc minute of departure.

Deflections are used to relate the orientation of a locally-leveled instrument, such as a theodolite, to a spatial reference system. Important uses are corrections to zenith distance (vertical angle) measurements, and the conversion between astronomic and ellipsoidal azimuths (the Laplace correction).



Got a question?

CONTACT US!


NGS HOME PAGE