The most complete terrain map of the Earth's surface has been published.

Posted by zzkt on Tuesday June 30, 2009 @09:14AM
from the news.bbc.co.uk dept.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8126197.stm

( 10 comments | 44 points | on HN )

Re:The most complete terrain map of the Earth's surface has ... by ghshephard on Tuesday June 30, 2009 @06:30PM (#681726)

I feel like a troll even suggesting that this isn't an amazing accomplishment, but did anybody else do a double-take when they read:

"For the Aster measurements, local elevation was mapped with each point just 30m apart. "

That's an impressive number of points for the entire earth's surface, it just doesn't strike me as being particularly remarkable in 2009, and I'm surprised that it is the _most complete_ terrain map.

I suspect I'm revealing my supreme ignorance of the state of GIS here, but I'd be interested in hearing what other people's thoughts are.

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Re:The most complete terrain map of the Earth's surface has ... by TrevorJ on Tuesday June 30, 2009 @09:38AM (#680738)

Does it say where it is published? I can't seem to find it.

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Re:The most complete terrain map of the Earth's surface has ... by kirubakaran on Tuesday June 30, 2009 @09:42AM (#680744)

I googled a bit and found this : http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2009-103

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Re:The most complete terrain map of the Earth's surface has ... by shizcakes on Tuesday June 30, 2009 @02:19PM (#681262)

Their interface is pretty unusable. They need a "I want maps" button.

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Re:The most complete terrain map of the Earth's surface has ... by TrevorJ on Tuesday June 30, 2009 @04:34PM (#681523)

Par for the course I am afraid. I've had to get ahold of NASA data before for some of the graphics work I've done in the past, and it's always a headache.

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Re:The most complete terrain map of the Earth's surface has ... by biohacker42 on Tuesday June 30, 2009 @12:31PM (#681023)

The resulting Global Digital Elevation Map covers 99% of the Earth's surface, and will be free to download and use.

Who'll be first to integrate this, google maps or bing, or somebody else? Who ever it is, I can't wait.

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Re:The most complete terrain map of the Earth's surface has ... by bmickler on Tuesday June 30, 2009 @09:42AM (#680742)

Anyone have a link to the map site? I've checked nasa.gov but no luck.

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Re:The most complete terrain map of the Earth's surface has ... by kirubakaran on Tuesday June 30, 2009 @09:43AM (#680748)

[From the link in the another comment I have posted here]

For visualizations of the new Aster topographic data, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/20090629.html

Data users can download the Aster global digital elevation model at: https://wist.echo.nasa.gov/~wist/api/imswelcome and http://www.gdem.aster.ersdac.or.jp

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Re:The most complete terrain map of the Earth's surface has ... by TweedHeads on Tuesday June 30, 2009 @10:15AM (#680798)

Hmm, a better way to expose and consume this information would be highly appreciated.

No, NASA is not user friendly.

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Re:The most complete terrain map of the Earth's surface has ... by sp332 on Tuesday June 30, 2009 @02:02PM (#681218)

Usually true, but their World Wind software is only unfriendly compared too Google Earth or MS Earth programs. http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/

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