BESSEL ELLIPSOID Meaning and
Definition
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A Bessel ellipsoid, also known as an ellipsoid of revolution, is a mathematical construct that approximates the shape of the Earth. It is named after Friedrich Bessel, a German mathematician and astronomer who developed the concept in the 19th century. The Bessel ellipsoid is widely used in geodesy, which is the science of measuring and studying the Earth's shape, size, and gravitational field.
The Bessel ellipsoid is derived from an ellipsoid, which is a three-dimensional geometric figure that resembles a stretched sphere. However, unlike a perfect sphere, the Bessel ellipsoid is oblate, meaning it is flattened at the poles and bulges at the equator. This deviation from a perfect sphere is due to the Earth's rotation causing a centrifugal force that pushes mass away from the axis of rotation.
The Bessel ellipsoid is specified by two parameters known as the semi-major axis and the semi-minor axis. The semi-major axis represents the equatorial radius of the ellipsoid, while the semi-minor axis represents the polar radius. These dimensions, along with other constants, are used in geodetic calculations to accurately model the Earth's surface and its influence on various measurements, such as distance, elevation, and gravitational pull.
Overall, the Bessel ellipsoid serves as a useful reference model in geodesy to approximate the Earth's shape and aid in a wide range of scientific, engineering, and geographic applications.
Etymology of BESSEL ELLIPSOID
The word "Bessel ellipsoid" is named after Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel, a German mathematician and astronomer. He lived from 1784 to 1846 and made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and geodesy.
The term "Bessel ellipsoid" refers to an oblate ellipsoid of revolution that closely approximates the shape of the Earth, taking into account the Earth's rotation. Bessel developed this ellipsoid in the early 19th century as part of his geodetic work, particularly for use in mapping and coordinate systems.
The etymology of the word "Bessel" itself comes from Friedrich Bessel's surname. The word "ellipsoid" is derived from the Greek words "ella" meaning "lacking" and "eidos" meaning "form" or "appearance".
