New map of gravity across Earth

[dArKeR]

 THE MAP, a colorful tapestry of space-based cartography, establishes the variations in Earth’s gravitational field depending on location. It’s the first of many gravity maps to be generated by the twin satellites of GRACE, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, underway by NASA and the German Aerospace Center.
       Oceanographers can use the new gravity map and its successors to better understand ocean circulation, global weather and climate. Future GRACE studies could also help third world nations track the water supply of subterranean aquifers when modern well-monitoring devices are unavailable, researchers said.
       “This instrument is really a paradigm shift in the way we do gravity measurements,” said Byron Tapley, principal investigator for GRACE, in a telephone interview. Tapley is also the director of the Center for Space Research at the University of Texas. “Usually, you’d think if you measure gravity once, then you’re done. For the first time, we start to think of it as an ongoing, changing thing.”


http://www.msnbc.com/news/944270.asp?0cv=CB20
http://www.csr.utexas.edu/grace/gallery/animations/ggm01/index.html

[arcane1]

1. cool!

cool science news is damn near the only good news left!

[dArKeR]

4. I agree. I hope we can find a new planet and leave this one for the GOP

[Maple]

2. Kewl!

Heckatight! Thank you!

[rogerashton]

3. Does it show the black hole in Crawford, Texas?

Or is it in Washington, D. C. this week? I do know it just left Philadelphia.