The field of geodesy uses astronomical techniques to measure Earth’s shape, gravitational field, and position in space. This discipline helps determine the positions of stars relative to Earth, monitor how Earth’s rotation and poles change over time, and collect more information about the distribution of rock in Earth’s crust.
NASA’s astronomy and geodesy data offerings meet researchers at the intersection of astronomy, geophysics, Earth science, and other disciplines that must take the shape and position of Earth into account. In keeping with open science principles, these data are freely available for anyone to use, creating greater possibilities for scientific participation and collaboration.
The Astronomy and Geodesy Data Point of Contact is Leonid Petrov.
Astronomy and Geodesy Science Data
Explore NASA’s data offerings in the areas of geodesy, astronomy, and geophysics.
| Astronomy and Geodesy Scientific Data Products | This collection of Astronomy and Geodesy Scientific Data Products includes catalogs of compact radio source positions and their images, the atmospheric angular momentum online service, and links to other space geodesy services. | https://astrogeo.smce.nasa.gov/ |
| International Path Delay Service | The International Path Delay Service uses assimilation numerical weather models to compute slant path and zenith path delays in the atmosphere at radio, infrared, or optical ranges, including dry and wet components. In addition, it computes atmospheric opacity and atmosphere brightness temperature in a range of 1 to 360 GHz. | https://atmospheric-propagation.smce.nasa.gov/ |
| International Mass Loading Service | Putting additional mass on Earth’s surface, such as through variations in atmosphere and ocean distribution, causes crust deformation. This can distort geodetic measurements if not accounted for. The International Mass Loading Service uses numerical models to compute displacements caused by mass loading and distributes them through an open online portal. | https://massloading.smce.nasa.gov/ |
| Network Earth Rotation Service | Earth orientation parameters (EOP) describe irregularities in Earth’s rotation compared to a fixed frame of reference. The Network Earth Rotation Service (NERS) is an online tool that provides automatic access to EOP from the year 1976 through 48 hours in the future. | https://earthrotation.smce.nasa.gov/ |
Search for NASA Science Data
As part of its open science mission, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) provides web tools to search across all of NASA’s science data, publications, software, and resources.
Science Discovery Engine
An integrated search platform to help you find what you need across NASA’s vast stores of open science data, documentation, code, and tools.
Science Explorer (SciX)
A digital library portal for scientific publications and software related to astronomy, Earth science, heliophysics, physics, and planetary science.