This Is How Earth’s Gravity Field Looks

BBC says this is this “is one of the most exquisite views we have ever had of the Earth”. I would say it is one of the most fascinating, as it shows how Earth’s gravity field changes across the globe.

The map is the result of a year of exploration by beautiful GOCE, the Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer. It shows how the Earth’s gravity is different depending on where you are in the world. The information will be useful at many levels. For example, it shows the real behaviour of oceans independently of tides, winds and currents, which will help climatologists to create more accurate weather models. BBC News also points out that this data will also help engineers to better plan the construction of pipelines. [BBC News]