From Elliptic Arc Length to Gauss-Krüger Coordinates by Analytical Continuation

Abstract

The majority of contemporary geodesists¹ considers Eric Grafarend as a most remarkable and outstanding scientist as well as brilliant scholar in the field of geodesy. His strong opinions, founded upon a thorough understanding of mathematical reasoning as applied to geodetic science, his clear views on essentials and needs for a science oriented university education with emphasis on fundamentals, and his openness to other fields and different cultures has gained him many friends throughout the world. In fact, Eric Grafarend’s creative and productive power is enormous and can hardly be equaled. His background easily has enabled him investigating new and old problems of our common profession from a purely theoretical, highly mathematical point of view. This is in contrast to the majority of geodesists who consider geodesy as engineering science rather than (geo-) science per se, and which should be primarily oriented towards practical applications.