Asian Surveying & Mapping Magazine

Australian Field Campaign Validates SMOS Data

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:08:15 +0000

To ensure the integrity of an Earth observation mission, it is often essential to compare the data being delivered from space with measurements taken on the ground. Accordingly, the first field campaign to validate soil moisture data from ESA's SMOS mission has just been carried out 'down under'.

Bangladesh Eyes Strategy for Sustainable Development

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:46:40 +0000

A seminar on 'Japan's Contribution for the Development of Bangladesh' organised by Bangladesh-Japan Friendship Association (BDJPFA) focused on the need for clearly defined objectives for national sustainable development. The event centered on trade discussions and investments by Japan in manufacturing, renewable energy and infrastructure.

SuperGeo Develops GIS Platform for Horticultural Crop Wild Relatives

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:00:54 +0000

Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) are the motivations to modify the species of crops and also are the basics of sustainable agricultural development. Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) refer to the original species of cultivation crop or the wild species of the relatives with close genes, which are disease-resistant, insect-resistant, resistance to the environmental stress, and also the sources of important economic traits. CWR also increases the productions and quality and decreases poverty.

SuperGeo Offered Internships to University Students

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:58:16 +0000

SuperGeo Technologies provided internship opportunities for several universities in Taiwan. The students have learned how to apply Geography Information System (GIS) knowledge and geospatial techniques to their specialized domains, such as geography, information technology, transportation, and tourism

Applanix Introduces Shoreline Mapping Solution

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:42:40 +0000

Fully integrated with the industry-leading POS MV™ and POSPac™ MMS georeferencing and motion compensation suite, LANDMark Marine is a complete solution that comes ready to mount and operate on any marine vessel. Includes a 2 axis laser scanner with built-in digital camera, a boresighting software module for accurately and repeatedly measuring Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to LiDAR misalignment angles, and data extraction and coordinate system conversion utility for outputting point cloud data.

The Shanghai World Expo Promises "Better City, Better Life"

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:02:08 +0000

The World Expo Shanghai 2010 revolves around the theme, "Better City, Better Life," placing an emphasis on innovation, renewable resources, and sustainable development. The expected 70 million visitors will be presented insights into planning, urban issues and sustainability.

RapidEye Images Key Australian Agricultural Districts

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:31:20 +0000

Several key agricultural districts of Australia are currently being imaged with the unique spectral instruments onboard the five RapidEye satellites currently orbiting the planet. For the first time imagery is available in the ‘red edge’. Other satellites only provide 10m multispectral imaging capabilities across Green, Red and Near Infra-Red and 20m resolution for Short Wave Infra-Red.

India Plans Launch of Dedicated Forestry Satellite

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:24:16 +0000

The Union Minister for Environment and Forest announced that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to launch a dedicated forestry satellite in 2013. The announcement came at the inauguration of the Indian Climate Observatory Network (ICON) at the National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL) campus. Mr. Ramesh called the satellite a major afforestation initiative and a key player in tackling climate change issues.

"AKATSUKI" Launch Date Set

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:25:18 +0000

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) would like to announce that the launch of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 17 (H-IIA F17) with the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" (PLANET-C) onboard was reported to the Space Activities Commission (SAC).

China Launches New Remote-sensing Satellite

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:12:57 +0000

China has successfully put into orbit another remote-sensing satellite, "Yaogan IX" at 12:55 p.m.(Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern Gansu Province, according to a statement from the center Friday. The satellite was sent into space aboard a Long March 4C carrier rocket and would be used to conduct scientific experiment, carry out surveys on land resources, forecast grain output and help with natural disaster-reduction and prevention endeavor, it said.

Japan Geographical Survey Institute - New Name

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:58:58 +0000

It is my great pleasure as the Director General of the Geographical Survey Institute (GSI), the national surveying and mapping organization of Japan, to inform you that effective on 1 April 2010, the official English appellation of the GSI will be changed to “Geospatial Information Authority of Japan”. This change is made to better represent the current mission of the GSI that has been evolved over the years to accommodate more responsibilities on geospatial information policy development.

ASEAN Countries Boost Mineral Cooperation

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:45:38 +0000

Also on the table were boosting the sustainable development of limestone areas to preserve biodiversity, develop tourism and effectively cope with climate change and building the capacity of surveying, exploring and exploiting underground mines.

Thailand Tightens Environmental Regulations

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:01:34 +0000

In September, a Thai court sided with the country's growing green movement and suspended $12 billion in investments on Thailand's industrial eastern seaboard—the world's eighth-largest petrochemical hub—until their environmental impact can be properly assessed.Bangkok plans to set up a new environmental-monitoring agency over the next five months to assess projects.

JAXA and Kazkosmos Sign Agreement

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:21:15 +0000

President Tachikawa of JAXA and Chairman Musabayaev of the National Space Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Kazcosmos) signed an agreement "Establishment of Cooperation in the Field of Space Activities for Peaceful Purposes" for the future cooperation between the two agencies in Bangkok, Thailand.

Australian Antarctic Pioneer Dies at 97

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:09:08 +0000

The Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, paid tribute to Dr Phillip Law whose foresight and drive forged the beginnings of Australia's very successful Antarctic program and who consolidated Australia's Antarctic interests. Dr Law died in Melbourne last night at the age of 97. Dr Law established Australia's Antarctic presence by founding the nation's three continental stations and exploring extensive tracts of the Australian Antarctic Territory.

WorldView-2 Starts Work

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:04:59 +0000

The recent El Nino event has been kind to remote sensors in the Asia Pacific. The reduction in equatorial clouds means that, for the first time in years, space-based remote sensors can get cloud-free views without waiting for months.

How to Pay for GIS?

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:55:45 +0000

The existence of Software as a Service, Open Source, Crowd Sourcing and Computing in the Cloud will challenge existing business models for IT companies, but it won't alter the fundamental rule: you pay for what you get.

New Ashtech MobileMapper Software

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:47:22 +0000

MobileMapper Field and MobileMapper Office is a new GIS and mapping software suite with advanced data collection and processing features. The new suite will first be introduced on the MobileMapper 6 professional GPS/GIS handheld receiver but over time it will be rolled out to the entire line of Ashtech MobileMapper GPS/GIS receivers. The new software suite replaces the previously available Mobile Mapping and MobileMapper 6 Office applications.

Asia - RS and GIS Scholarships

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:23:30 +0000

Remote Sensing and GIS field of study at Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand) has recently announced scholarships for this coming August 2010 semester. These scholarships will be granted to students who have excellent study records. Please take your chance to apply for this scholarship.

Trimble Yuma Tablet Now Runs Microsoft Windows 7

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:12:40 +0000

The Yuma tablet computerï¿½s mobile package features Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, integrated WiFi connectivity, Global Positioning System (GPS) capability and two geotag-enabled cameras. The Yuma is expandable via two USB 2.0 slots, a 34 pin Expresscard and an SDIO slot. The seven-inch sunlight-readable WSVGA color touch screen is ideal for a host of mapping and form-based applications.

SuperGeo Set Up SuperGeo Malaysia

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:09:34 +0000

SuperGeo Technologies, the leading global provider of complete GIS software and solutions, is thrilled to announce that “SuperGeo Malaysia” is established successfully in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. SuperGeo extends its overseas territory via the global reseller network. Cooperating with Axis Commerce, the Geo-ICT total solutions provider and also SuperGeo’s exclusive reseller in Malaysia.

GNSS, Height and Mean Sea Level

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:27:14 +0000

We often speak about Mean Sea Level but may not realise the significance of this important benchmark position. Mean Sea Level changes depending where on earth it is being measured, and knowing where zero or Mean Sea Level is has important implications.

AUSGeoid09: Converting GPS Heights to AHD Heights

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:54:38 +0000

In Australia, heights above mean sea level (MSL) are referenced to the Australian Height Datum (AHD). The AHD was established by setting the mean value observed at 32 tide gauges around Australia between 1966 and 1968 to a height of 0.000 metres. Levelling techniques were then used to transfer heights relative to MSL across Australia.

China to Launch "Yaogan IX" Remote-sensing Satellite

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:33:26 +0000

China will launch a remote-sensing satellite, "Yaogan IX" in the coming days from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern Gansu Province, an official at the center said Thursday.

Call: ISEIS 2010 Intl Conf On Environmental Informatics

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:21:34 +0000

Please be advised that, in response to requests from many researchers, the deadlines for submitting abstract and full paper have been extended. If you are interested in participating this prestigious event, please submit your abstract as soon as possible.