Scientific goals of laser range measurements
Abstract
Two of the most important areas of geodynamics to which laser ranging appears capable of making fundamental contributions are discussed. These are worldwide plate tectonic motion measurements and the monitoring of the longer wavelength crustal movements in seismic zones. In both areas, the accuracy and reliability of the results are of great importance, since a factor two improvement in accuracy can reduce the time necessary for detecting anomalous motions by the same factor. The capabilities of other techniques are discussed briefly, and it is argued that laser ranging to satellites is likely to make major contributions to geodynamics if it succeeds in demonstrating higher measurement accuracy than radio techniques.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981STIN...8321351B
- Keywords:
-
- Accuracy;
- Earth Movements;
- Geodynamics;
- Laser Range Finders;
- Tectonics;
- Earth Rotation;
- Earthquakes;
- Error Analysis;
- Lasers and Masers