Open AccessA simple approach to the transformation of spherical harmonic models under coordinate system rotation
Author(s) -
De Santis A.,
Torta J. M.,
Falcone C.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
geophysical journal international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0956-540X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1996.tb05284.x
Subject(s) - coordinate system , spherical harmonics , transformation (genetics) , rotation (mathematics) , simple (philosophy) , spherical coordinate system , set (abstract data type) , harmonic function , mathematics , harmonic , field (mathematics) , mathematical analysis , computer science , geometry , physics , pure mathematics , biochemistry , chemistry , philosophy , epistemology , quantum mechanics , gene , programming language
SUMMARY The transformation of a set of spherical harmonic coefficients characterizing a model of the geomagnetic field, or a general function defined on a sphere, subject to a rotation of the coordinate system, is given by the direct relations between the coefficients and then by using a numerical approach. The parameters for a pair of such rotations (from one set to another, and vice versa) are given, along with a few examples of their application. The method is particularly useful for the comparison of geophysical characteristics derived from models developed under different coordinate systems. It offers a practical solution to the problem, which can be implemented without difficulty.