4 ms·

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

44 points by zzkt 17y ago

TrevorJ 17y ago
Does it say where it is published? I can't seem to find it.
- kirubakaran 17y ago
  I googled a bit and found this : http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2009-103 http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2009-103
  - shizcakes 17y ago
    Their interface is pretty unusable. They need a "I want maps" button.
    - TrevorJ 17y ago
      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.
bmickler 17y ago
Anyone have a link to the map site? I've checked nasa.gov but no luck.
- kirubakaran 17y ago
  [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 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 https://wist.echo.nasa.gov/~wist/api/imswelcome and http://www.gdem.aster.ersdac.or.jp http://www.gdem.aster.ersdac.or.jp
TweedHeads 17y ago
Hmm, a better way to expose and consume this information would be highly appreciated. No, NASA is not user friendly.
- sp332 17y ago
  Usually true, but their World Wind software is only unfriendly compared too Google Earth or MS Earth programs. http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/ http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/
biohacker42 17y ago
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.
ghshephard 17y ago
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.

44 points by zzkt 17y ago

TrevorJ 17y ago

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

kirubakaran 17y ago
I googled a bit and found this : http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2009-103 http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2009-103
- shizcakes 17y ago
  Their interface is pretty unusable. They need a "I want maps" button.
  - TrevorJ 17y ago
    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.

bmickler 17y ago

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

kirubakaran 17y ago
[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 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 https://wist.echo.nasa.gov/~wist/api/imswelcome and http://www.gdem.aster.ersdac.or.jp http://www.gdem.aster.ersdac.or.jp

TweedHeads 17y ago

Hmm, a better way to expose and consume this information would be highly appreciated. No, NASA is not user friendly.

sp332 17y ago
Usually true, but their World Wind software is only unfriendly compared too Google Earth or MS Earth programs. http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/ http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/

biohacker42 17y ago

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.

ghshephard 17y ago

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.