Abstract
Formulas for the general-altitude (height above the ellipsoid) transformation from geocentric to geodetic coordinates and vice versa are derived. The set of four formulas is expressed in each of two useful forms: series expansions in powers of the Earth's flattening and series expansions in powers of the Earth's eccentricity. The error incurred in these expansions is of the order of one part in 3×107.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adamson, D., Fricke, C. L., and Long, S. A. T.: 1973,J. Geophys. Res. 78, 5769–5784.
Anon.: 1961,Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Ephemeris and the American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac, Nautical Almanac Offices of the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Long, S. A. T.: 1974, NASA TN D-7522, Langley Research Center.
Morrison, J. and Pines, S.: 1961,Astron. J. 66, 15–16.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Long, S.A.T. General-altitude transformations between geocentric and geodetic coordinates. Celestial Mechanics 12, 225–230 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01230214
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01230214