Critical Remarks on the Possibility of Determining Variations of the Geocenter Position Using Geostationary Satellite Observations

Abstract

AbstractThe possibility of determining the variations of the Earth’s cejiter (expressed in terms of the geopotential harmonic coefficients , , or of some functions of them), using geostationary satellites, was discussed by Burŝa and Ŝíma (1978) after discerning the difference between observed and theoretical positions of libration points. Although their effect on geostationary orbits cannot be expected to be of high magnitude, the question of determination of these terms arose. It was suggested that the “resonant phenomenon” observed here might be analogous to the resonant effects in close satellite orbits, because the satellite is at the 1/1-resonance (1 nodal revolution per 1 sidereal day).