Astrophysics (Index)About

gravity sounding

(gravitational sounding)
(measuring a planet's gravitation field by study of nearby probe flights)

The term gravity sounding (or gravitational sounding) is not widely used, but has been used regarding probes of Jupiter and Saturn. As far as I can make out, the term is used for determination of details of the gravitational field by precise observation of the flight path of spacecraft passing the planet, either during a flyby or a (likely eccentric) orbit. From this information, models of the body's interior structure can be worked out. Such observations were made with Pioneer and Cassini near Saturn and are being made with Juno orbiting Jupiter.


(gravity,experiment)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity_science_(Juno)
https://pds-atmospheres.nmsu.edu/data_and_services/atmospheres_data/JUNO/Juno%20mission%20description.pdf
https://staffblogs.le.ac.uk/physicsastronomy/2021/06/23/planetaryseminar-inside-jupiter-what-juno-gravity-soundings-taught-us-about-the-gas-giants-interior-during-the-prime-mission/
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1976jsia.coll..176H/abstract

Referenced by pages:
gravimetry
radio

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