Gravity Field of the Earth

International Geophysics Series, Volume 10: The Gravity Field of the Earth: From Classical and Modern Methods explores the theory of the gravity field of the earth based on both classical and modern methods. Classical method involves observations of gravity taken over the earth''s surface, while the modern method uses observations of variation of orbital elements of artificial satellites caused by the gravity field of the earth. This book is organized into two parts encompassing 12 chapters. Part I describes the solution of physical problems that are treated as Dirichlet problems or solved by means of integral equations. This part also deals with the determination of the geoid form from ground gravity measurements using the Stokes formula. The method of obtaining the Stokes formula by means of an integral equation is also outlined. Part II contains modern mathematical techniques developed to utilize the observations of artificial satellites for geodetic purposes. This book could be used as a textbook for students in the fields of geodesy, geophysics, or astronomy.