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Global Positioning System (GPS)

Earth Shape and GPS Height Models

Description

Earth shape and GPS height models are explained using the ellipsoid, the geoid, and modern coordinate systems. The Earth is best described as an ellipsoid, which is a slightly flattened sphere formed by rotating an ellipse around its minor axis. This flattening makes the polar axis about 21 kilometers shorter than the equato...

Transcript

The Earth is best described as an ellipsoid, or an oblate spheroid, formed by rotating an ellipse around its minor axis. 

This shape is slightly flattened at the poles, with the polar axis approximately 21 kilometers shorter than the equatorial axis.

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