coordinates

Jun 2005 | Comments Off on Mobiles meddle in privacy
photo-mobile

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, finding people and bodies in the rubble was of utmost importance. This task was directed at finding location bearing devices incorporated in commonplace instruments such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and electronic pagers. By polling these devices electronically using a system of triangulation points it was thought that persons and bodies could be found. Polling is simply sending electronic impulses to receivers to ascertain where these devices are located. However, and sadly, such devices have a limited range and may have no effect if buried in more than a meter of rubble. Also, some such devices incorporate global positioning systems (GPS) and these require access to the sky and to the constellation of satellites orbiting the Earth. Even the sniffer dogs gave up this mammoth task.

Jun 2005 | Comments Off on Mobile Mapping Systems

The past two decades have seen extraordinary growth in the demand for geo-spatial data. This demand has numerous sources and takes many forms; however, the net effect is an ever-increasing thirst for data that is more accurate, has higher density, is produced more rapidly, and is acquired less expensively. Unfortunately, traditional techniques for collecting spatial data, such as conventional surveying techniques, point-wise GPS, or aerial photogrammetry, have difficulties satisfying many of the new data collection requisites. Conventional surveying or point-wise GPS are, for instance, poorly suited for the rapid and inexpensive collection of data over large areas. Traditional aerial photogrammetry, while satisfying these needs, is disadvantaged by the requirement to establish moderately dense and expensive ground control.

Jun 2005 | Comments Off on NEWSBRIEFS – Galileo update

Galileo – the European Programme for Global Navigation Services for civil purposes is an initiative led by European Union. We will provide regular updates to our readers on the Galileo programme. Just as South Korea plans to join Galileo, so do some companies from China and Israel
South Korea to join Galileo
Science and Technology Minister Oh Myung approved a plan to join a satellite- based navigation system project led by the European Union, in a bid to reduce its reliance on the United States’ GPS. The 3.4 billion euro Galileo project is expected to rival the GPS navigation system. South Korea will likely pay at least 5 million euros, or about 6.7 billion won, to participate in the project, the ministry said. If all goes as scheduled, a formal agreement will be sealed within this year. Joining the Galileo project is also expected to help South Korea widen its political, economic and scientific ties with the European Union, the ministry said.
http://english.yna.co.kr

Jun 2005 | Comments Off on GPS import in India – Derestricted
t23

The order issued last year to de-restrict the import of GPS and DGPS receiver is a boon to the GPS market in India. However, some of us are unaware of this development despite the fact that the notification was issued in January 2004, and this information is available at the website of Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Government of India.

Jun 2005 | Comments Off on Aeronautical cartography
t24

The main purpose of an Aeronautical Chart is to contribute to the safety, regularity and efficiency of International Air Navigation. The increasing speed and operating altitude of modern aeroplanes, coupled with increasing congestion of air traffic necessitate availability of precise and up-to-date charts. This can be achieved by having an efficient system of Aeronautical Chart production.

Jun 2005 | Comments Off on NEWSBRIEFS – GIS India

FDI to accelerate mapping in India
The Indian Govt. is going to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in the GIS and aerial mapping sectors to prepare an exhaustive database for the entire country. Union Minister of State for Science, Technology and Ocean Development, Kapil Sibal said that opening the sector for FDI would help speed up the area mapping work in the country.
‘‘The map database, being prepared by using GIS, would help tackle future challenges more effectively and improve India’s performance in areas like agriculture and infrastructure,’’ said Sibal. http://cities.expressindia.com

Jun 2005 | Comments Off on NEWSBRIEFS – REMOTE SENSING

Patong, Thailand gets disaster alert system
The first sites to broadcast warnings in the event of an emergency at Patong beach, Phuket will be operational this month as part of a national disaster early warning system, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).

These will become the first of between 40 and 50 locations in six provinces facing the Andaman Sea with loudspeakers to broadcast information in the event of a natural disaster such as a tsunami wave.
http://www.bangkokpost.com

Jun 2005 | Comments Off on Cadastral surveys in India
photo49

Cadastral surveys are specially designed large scale surveys, generally on 1:4000 scale which are linked to land ownership and property. In case of urban cadastral surveys, the scales may be as large as 1:500 to 1:4000. This paper is, however, emphasizing the rural and village properties. The urban cadastre, although very vital needs a separate and detailed discussion.

Jun 2005 | Comments Off on NEWSBRIEFS – GPS

Tsunami shifts Bangkok southwest…
Bangkok has moved about nine centimetres (3.5 inches) horizontally southwestwards because of the December 26 earthquake that measured 9.0 on the Richter scale and sent devastating tsunamis across the Indian Ocean. The tourist island of Phuket also moved 32 centimetres (12.6 inches) southwestwards since the quake, said the Chulalongkorn University researchers, who used GPS satellites to measures the shifts during a January 20-24 survey. Researcher Itthi’s survey engineering department at Chulalongkorn is collecting data from six other locations in Thailand to get a better picture of how the nation’s geography has changed, the Nation newspaper reported.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com

Jun 2005 | Comments Off on MARK YOUR CALENDAR

June 2005

 

31st International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment

 

20 – 24 June, Saint Petersburg, Russia

 

31_ISRSE@niersc.spb.ru

 

http://www.niersc.spb.ru/isrse

 

8th United Nations Regional Cartographic …