The New Topographic Map of Earth

United States Space Agency (NASA) and Japan released the latest version of the digital topographic map of Earth's most complete on the weekend. Maps will detail the results of measurements carried NASA's spacecraft Terra was launched by on December 18, 1999.

The satellite carries five sensors (ASTER, MODIS, MOPITT, MISR and CERES) that study the interactions among the Earth's atmosphere, lands, oceans, and radiant energy (heat and light). The Terra spacecraft is roughly the size of a small school bus.

Map of the global digital elevation model was created using a number of pictures taken by Japanese Advanced Spaceborne instruments Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) mounted on the Terra. Stereopair images produced by combining two two-dimensional images to create three-dimensional image depth effects. The first version of the map that was released in June 2009.

Artist's rendering of the Terra spacecraft. (Picture from: http://www.seos-project.eu/)

"ASTER global digital elevation model is the most complete, consistent with a global topographic map of the world," said Woody Turner, ASTER program scientist at NASA headquarters in Washington. "With these improvements, the resolution can be compared with data from NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission to the United States map, but covers the whole world." 

The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) obtains images of the Earth in 14 different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from visible to thermal infrared light. ASTER is the only high spatial resolution (15-90 m) instrument on the Terra satellite. 

The ASTER instrument consists of three separate instrument subsystems: the Visible and Near Infrared (VNIR), the Shortwave Infrared (SWIR), and the Thermal Infrared (TIR).

Scientists use ASTER data to create detailed maps of land surface temperature, emissivity, reflectance, and elevation. Given its high resolution and its ability to change viewing angles, ASTER can produce stereoscopic images and detailed terrain height models.

The ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru. This simulated natural color ASTER image covers 12 x 15 km, was acquired on June 25, 2001, and is located at 13.1 degrees south latitude and 72.5 degrees west longitude. (Picture from: http://asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov/)

Map this latest version adds 260 thousand stereopair images to improve coverage. The map shows better spatial resolution, increased accuracy of the vertical and horizontal, and the ability to identify lakes with diameters as small as 1 kilometer. Online map that can be accessed by everyone for free. *** [JPL | NASA | CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | KORAN TEMPO 3685]