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NASA Goddard Geophysical and Astronomical Observatory

Two Columns

Monumentation at GGAO

Over 25 precisely surveyed monuments are located at GGAO. Many of these monuments are used as a measurement point of reference for the geodetic systems housed at GGAO.

North GEOS Pier

Text about the pier...

North GEOS Pier at GGAOThis picture shows the monument known as "NORTH GEOS PIER".
North GEOS Pier monument inscriptions

A close-up photo of the markers on the NORTH GEOS PIER.

South GEOS Pier

Text about the pier...

South GEOS Pier at GGAOThis picture shows the monument known as "SOUTH GEOS PIER".
South GEOS Pier monument inscriptions

A close-up photo of the markers on the SOUTH GEOS PIER.

 

Calibration Piers and Reference Monuments

The four photographs below show calibration piers installed at various locations around GGAO. These piers are used by the SLR systems to calibrate the laser measurements prior to and after satellite passes are tracked.

Calibration pierSLR calibration pier.

Calibration pier with SLR van in background

SLR calibration pier; the MOBLAS-7 van can be seen in the background.

SLR calibration pierSLR calibration pier.

Close up of corner cube installed on SLR calibration pier

A close-up view of a corner cube mounted on one of the calibration piers used by the SLR systems at GGAO.

 

Various reference monuments are also installed at GGAO and are utilized for visiting systems and general surveys.

Reference monument at GGAOThis photograph shows one of the reference monuments at GGAO. The MV-3 system and GODE GPS monument can be seen in the background.
Close-up of reference monument

A close-up view of the reference monument shown in the photograph to the left.

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