A data set to test geoid computation methods

Abstract

Upon the request of the steering commit-tee of the European Gravity and Geoid Project, the Institut Géographique National has prepared a data set to test geoid computation methods and pro-grams. The set consists of digital terrain models, gravity data and levelled GPS points prepared in such a way that the computation of a 3°×2° geoid is feasible. The first section describes the motivations for the preparation of this data set and the specifica-tions. In the next two sections, the area characteris-tics and the data are presented. The fourth section gives an evaluation of the quality of the data set through a first solution for the quasigeoid. Finally a practical way to retrieve the data and future per-spectives are outlined.