Nov 29 1970
From The Space Library
Observations of more than 100 000 photos of 21 satellites made from 19 cameras and tracking stations of Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory had shown that satellites bobbed and dipped slightly in earth orbit, New York Times reported. Erratic motions were caused by variations in earth's gravitational field. Satellites were attracted and pulled downward more as they passed over high areas and attracted less over low areas. Scientists had concluded that if earth were round orbits would be perfectly elliptical. Instead, bulges and depressions covered earth in two bands-high band with neck across North Pole and ends stretching over Europe and West Africa on one side and Pacific Ocean on other; low band over South Pole with ends over North America and Asia. (NYT, 11/29/70, 24)
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