Decoding the Mystery of Coordinates NHLSA TOWN MONUMENT LOCATION WORKSHOP UNH – DURHAM, N.H
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Meyers Height 1
University of Connecticut DigitalCommons@UConn Peer-reviewed Articles 12-1-2004 What Does Height Really Mean? Part I: Introduction Thomas H. Meyer University of Connecticut, [email protected] Daniel R. Roman National Geodetic Survey David B. Zilkoski National Geodetic Survey Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.uconn.edu/thmeyer_articles Recommended Citation Meyer, Thomas H.; Roman, Daniel R.; and Zilkoski, David B., "What Does Height Really Mean? Part I: Introduction" (2004). Peer- reviewed Articles. Paper 2. http://digitalcommons.uconn.edu/thmeyer_articles/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UConn. It has been accepted for inclusion in Peer-reviewed Articles by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UConn. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Land Information Science What does height really mean? Part I: Introduction Thomas H. Meyer, Daniel R. Roman, David B. Zilkoski ABSTRACT: This is the first paper in a four-part series considering the fundamental question, “what does the word height really mean?” National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is embarking on a height mod- ernization program in which, in the future, it will not be necessary for NGS to create new or maintain old orthometric height benchmarks. In their stead, NGS will publish measured ellipsoid heights and computed Helmert orthometric heights for survey markers. Consequently, practicing surveyors will soon be confronted with coping with these changes and the differences between these types of height. Indeed, although “height’” is a commonly used word, an exact definition of it can be difficult to find. These articles will explore the various meanings of height as used in surveying and geodesy and pres- ent a precise definition that is based on the physics of gravitational potential, along with current best practices for using survey-grade GPS equipment for height measurement. -
Is Mount Everest Higher Now Than 100 Years
Is Mount Everest higher now than 155 years ago?' Giorgio Poretti All human works are subject to error, and it is only in the power of man to guard against its intrusion by care and attention. (George Everest) Dipartimento di Matematica e Informatica CER Telegeomatica - Università di Trieste Foreword One day in the Spring of 1852 at Dehra Dun, India, in the foot hills of the Himalayas, the door of the office of the Director General of the Survey of India opens. Enters Radanath Sikdar, the chief of the team of human computers who were processing the data of the triangulation measurements of the Himalayan peaks taken during the Winter. "Sir I have discovered the highest mountain of the world…….it is Peak n. XV". These words, reported by Col. Younghausband have become a legend in the measurement of Mt. Everest. Introduction The height of a mountain is determined by three main factors. The first is the sea level that would be under the mountain if the water could flow freely under the continents. The second depends on the accuracy of the elevations of the points in the valley from which the measurements are performed, and on the mareograph taken as a reference (height datum). The third factor depends on the amount of snow on the summit. This changes from season to season and from year to year with a variation that exceeds a metre between spring and autumn. Optical measurements from a long distance are also heavily influenced by the refraction of the atmosphere (due to the difference of pressure and temperature between the points of observation in the valley and the summit), and by the plumb-line deflections. -
What Does Height Really Mean?
Department of Natural Resources and the Environment Department of Natural Resources and the Environment Monographs University of Connecticut Year 2007 What Does Height Really Mean? Thomas H. Meyer∗ Daniel R. Romany David B. Zilkoskiz ∗University of Connecticut, [email protected] yNational Geodetic Survey zNational Geodetic Suvey This paper is posted at DigitalCommons@UConn. http://digitalcommons.uconn.edu/nrme monos/1 What does height really mean? Thomas Henry Meyer Department of Natural Resources Management and Engineering University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 06269-4087 Tel: (860) 486-2840 Fax: (860) 486-5480 E-mail: [email protected] Daniel R. Roman David B. Zilkoski National Geodetic Survey National Geodetic Survey 1315 East-West Highway 1315 East-West Highway Silver Springs, MD 20910 Silver Springs, MD 20910 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] June, 2007 ii The authors would like to acknowledge the careful and constructive reviews of this series by Dr. Dru Smith, Chief Geodesist of the National Geodetic Survey. Contents 1 Introduction 1 1.1Preamble.......................................... 1 1.2Preliminaries........................................ 2 1.2.1 TheSeries...................................... 3 1.3 Reference Ellipsoids . ................................... 3 1.3.1 Local Reference Ellipsoids . ........................... 3 1.3.2 Equipotential Ellipsoids . ........................... 5 1.3.3 Equipotential Ellipsoids as Vertical Datums ................... 6 1.4MeanSeaLevel....................................... 8 1.5U.S.NationalVerticalDatums.............................. 10 1.5.1 National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29) . ........... 10 1.5.2 North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) . ........... 11 1.5.3 International Great Lakes Datum of 1985 (IGLD 85) . ........... 11 1.5.4 TidalDatums.................................... 12 1.6Summary.......................................... 14 2 Physics and Gravity 15 2.1Preamble......................................... -
A Guide to Coordinate Systems in Great Britain
A guide to coordinate systems in Great Britain An introduction to mapping coordinate systems and the use of GPS datasets with Ordnance Survey mapping A guide to coordinate systems in Great Britain D00659 v2.3 Mar 2015 © Crown copyright Page 1 of 43 Contents Section Page no 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 3 1.1 Who should read this booklet? .......................................................................................3 1.2 A few myths about coordinate systems ..........................................................................4 2 The shape of the Earth ................................................................................................................ 6 2.1 The first geodetic question ..............................................................................................6 2.2 Ellipsoids ......................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 The Geoid ....................................................................................................................... 7 2.3.1 Local geoids .....................................................................................................8 3 What is position? ......................................................................................................................... 9 3.1 Types of coordinates ......................................................................................................9 -
On the Geoid and Orthometric Height Vs. Quasigeoid and Normal Height
J. Geod. Sci. 2018; 8:115–120 Research Article Open Access Lars E. Sjöberg* On the geoid and orthometric height vs. quasigeoid and normal height https://doi.org/10.1515/jogs-2018-0011 Keywords: ambiguous quasigeoid, geoid, geoid- Received August 6, 2018; accepted November 6, 2018 quasigeoid difference, resolution, vertical datum, quasi- geoid Abstract: The geoid, but not the quasigeoid, is an equipo- tential surface in the Earth’s gravity field that can serve both as a geodetic datum and a reference surface in geo- physics. It is also a natural zero-level surface, as it agrees 1 Introduction with the undisturbed mean sea level. Orthometric heights are physical heights above the geoid, while normal heights The geoid is an important equipotential surface and ver- are geometric heights (of the telluroid) above the reference tical reference surface in geodesy and geophysics. The ellipsoid. Normal heights and the quasigeoid can be deter- quasigeoid, introduced by M.S. Moldensky (Molodensky mined without any information on the Earth’s topographic et al. 1962) is not an equipotential surface, and it has density distribution, which is not the case for orthometric no special meaning in geophysics. The geoid serves as heights and geoid. the ideal reference surface for height systems in all coun- We show from various derivations that the difference be- tries that adopt orthometric heigths, while the rest of the tween the geoid and the quasigeoid heights, being of the world uses the quasigeoid with normal height systems (or order of 5 m, can be expressed by the simple Bouguer grav- normal-orthometric heights with more or less unknown ity anomaly as the only term that includes the topographic zero-levels). -
Heights, the Geopotential, and Vertical Datums
Heights, the Geopotential, and Vertical Datums Christopher Jekeli Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Geodetic Science Ohio State University September 2000 1 . Introduction With the Global Positioning System (GPS) now providing heights almost effortlessly, and with many national and international agencies in different regions of the world re-considering the determination of height and their vertical networks and datums, it is useful to review the fundamental theory of heights from the traditional geodetic point of view, as well as from the modern standpoint which addresses the centimeter to sub-centimeter accuracy that is now foreseen with satellite positioning systems. The discussion assumes that the reader is somewhat familiar with physical geodesy, in particular with the foundations of potential theory, but the development proceeds from first principles in review fashion. Moreover, concepts and geodetic quantities are introduced as they are needed, which should give the reader a sense that nothing is a priori given, unless so stated explicitly. 2 . Heights Points on or near the Earth’s surface commonly are associated with three coordinates, a latitude, a longitude, and a height. The latitude and longitude refer to an oblate ellipsoid of revolution and are designated more precisely as geodetic latitude and longitude. This ellipsoid is a geometric, mathematical figure that is chosen in some way to fit the mean sea level either globally or, historically, over some region of the Earth’s surface, neither of which concerns us at the moment. We assume that its center is at the Earth’s center of mass and its minor axis is aligned with the Earth’s reference pole. -
Next Generation Height Reference Frame
NEXT GENERATION HEIGHT REFERENCE FRAME PART 2/3: USER REQUIREMENTS Nicholas Brown, Geoscience Australia Nicholas Bollard, RMIT University Jack McCubbine, Geoscience Australia Will Featherstone, Curtin University 0 <Insert Report Title> Document Control Version Status & revision notes Author Date 0.1 Initial draft Nicholas Brown 31/1/2018 0.2 Update to make it clear that the scope of the project is to Nicholas Brown 16/3/2018 assess user requirements for a height reference frame to be available alongside AHD 1.0 Incorporate feedback from User Requirements study Nicholas Brown 8/11/2018 1.1 Incorporate feedback from Jack McCubbine Nicholas Brown 20/11/2018 2.0 Review and alignment with Technical Options document Nicholas Brown 23/11/2018 and Executive Summary 2.1 Minor adjustments following review by Jack McCubbine Nicholas Brown 3/12/2018 2.2 Minor adjustments following review by Nic Gowans, Mick Nicholas Brown 17/12/2018 Filmer and Jack McCubbine 3.0 Minor corrections following a review by Phil Collier Nicholas Brown 14/2/2019 1 Next Generation Height Reference Frame Contents 1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE ............................................................................................................ 3 2. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Changing world of geospatial .......................................................................................... 3 2.2 Introduction to the AHD ................................................................................................ -
Understanding the Altimeter
Understanding the altimeter What you see isn't always what you have by Jack Willams Flying is an adventure for most pilots--sometimes more adventure than they really want. A pilot's report to Canada's Aviation Safety Reporting Program about an attempt to land through low clouds on a remote, icy runway is an example. The airplane's altimeter indicated that the airplane was still 300 feet above the ground when "the nosewheel struck the ice," the report says. The pilot immediately applied full power, climbed away from the ground, and returned safely to the departure airport. What happened? The air pressure was lower at the destination airport than at the departure airport, but the pilot had not reset the altimeter because the airport didn't have radio weather data, which includes information on altimeter settings. A student pilot could get by without learning much about the aircraft's altimeter because landings during training are made when the lowest clouds are well above the runway. An altimeter reading that's 300 feet too high could go unnoticed with no consequences. This doesn't mean the correct altimeter setting isn't important until a pilot begins flying in poor visibility. For one reason, air traffic controllers expect all aircraft to fly at assigned altitudes. A would-be pilot should begin to learn how altimeters work and how to properly use them soon after training begins. In aviation, altitude refers to how high an aircraft is above mean sea level; that is, how high the aircraft is above the average level of the Earth's oceans. -
Datums, Heights and Geodesy
Datums, Heights and Geodesy Central Chapter of the Professional Land Surveyors of Colorado 2007 Annual Meeting Daniel R. Roman National Geodetic Survey National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Outline for the talks • Three 40-minute sessions: – Datums and Definitions – Geoid Surfaces and Theory – Datums Shifts and Geoid Height Models • Sessions separated by 30 minute breaks • 30-60 minute Q&A period at the end I will try to avoid excessive formulas and focus more on models of the math and relationships I’m describing. General focus here is on the development of geoid height models to relate datums – not the use of these models in determining GPS-derived orthometric heights. The first session will introduce a number of terms and clarify their meaning The second describes how various surfaces are created The last session covers the models available to teansform from one datum to another Datums and Definitions Session A of Datums, Heights and Geodesy Presented by Daniel R. Roman, Ph.D. Of the National Geodetic Survey -define datums - various surfaces from which "zero" is measured -geoid is a vertical datum tied to MSL -geoid height is ellipsoid height from specific ellipsoid to geoid -types of geoid heights: gravimetric versus hybrid -definition of ellipsoidal datums (a, e, GM, w) -show development of rotational ellipsoid Principal Vertical Datums in the U.S.A. • North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) – Principal vertical datum for CONUS/Alaska – Helmert Orthometric Heights • National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD -
Introduction to Differential Leveling 1/7
CIVL 1101 Surveying - Introduction to Differential Leveling 1/7 Measuring Elevation Measuring Elevation Elevation refers to the height above or below a fixed Elevation plays a crucial part in everyday life. geographic reference point. In engineering, elevation is used to determine the center of In most cases, we the Earth’s sea level as our reference gravity and the type of materials to be used. point, but in some cases the ground level is used as the reference point. The elevation of a particular place can also help predict and prevent disasters such as flooding. Measuring Elevation Measuring Elevation Mississippi River at flood stage ~ 217 ft. above sea level Mississippi River at flood stage ~ 227 ft. above sea level Measuring Elevation Measuring Elevation Humans adapt to their environment, as some are adapted to higher elevations while others are adapted to low elevations. A majority of the world's population lives in coastal regions with elevations of 500 feet or less. The people of Tibet in Central Asia are adapted to living at 17,500 ft. where crops cannot grow and the oxygen is extremely thin. Mississippi River at flood stage ~ 237 ft. above sea level CIVL 1101 Surveying - Introduction to Differential Leveling 2/7 Measuring Elevation Differential Leveling Importance of Vertical Positions Elevation refers to the height above or below a fixed geographic reference point. A vertical position is the height of a point relative to some reference surface, such as mean sea level, a geoid, or an In most cases, we the Earth’s sea level as our reference ellipsoid. -
The Australian Height Datum Turns 50: Past, Present & Future
Proceedings of the APAS Webinar Series 2021 (AWS2021) 24 March – 30 June 2021 The Australian Height Datum Turns 50: Past, Present & Future Volker Janssen DCS Spatial Services NSW Department of Customer Service [email protected] Simon McElroy DCS Spatial Services NSW Department of Customer Service [email protected] ABSTRACT The Australian Height Datum (AHD) celebrates its Golden Jubilee (50th birthday) this year. This stalwart of Australian surveying remains our nation’s first and only legal vertical datum. Recently, the ever-increasing use of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations and airborne gravity measurements has led to the development of the Australian Vertical Working Surface (AVWS) as an alternative for advanced users and early adopters requiring higher-quality physical heights. This paper celebrates the achievements of AHD and its longevity, outlines its shortcomings and describes the datum maintenance and modernisation efforts undertaken by DCS Spatial Services to not only preserve but improve access to AHD, while also providing a solid foundation for AVWS across the State. It also looks ahead to a new era of vertical datum determination based on GNSS observations and gravity measurements. Acknowledging that there can be only one legal vertical datum, it remains to be seen what the future holds for legal heights in NSW and Australia. KEYWORDS: Australian Height Datum (AHD), Australian Vertical Working Surface (AVWS), AUSGeoid2020, AUSPOS, datum modernisation. 1 INTRODUCTION The Australian Height Datum (AHD) celebrates its 50th birthday this year and remains Australia’s first and only legal vertical datum (Roelse et al., 1975). A vertical datum defines a reference for elevation comparisons and is essential for a wide range of applications relying on the flow of fluids, such as floodplain management, waterway navigation management, roadway and drainage design, agricultural management, and surveying in general. -
BASIC Surveying Manual
BASIC Surveying Manual Transportation Information Center Contents Page ■ Measuring horizontal distances 4 • Pacing 4 • Tapes 5 • Historical surveyor’s chain 5 • Taping methods 6 • Horizontal distances 7 • Stationing 10 • Right triangles 11 ■ Vertical measurements 13 • Equipment 14 • Leveling procedures 16 • Level example 20 • Survey notes 21 • One person leveling 24 • Adjustment of hand level 26 • Common leveling mistakes 27 ■ Construction staking 28 • Stake markings 28 • Calculating cut and fill 30 ■ Slopes and grades 31 • Percent 31 • Ratio 32 ■ Field exercises, examples and solutions 34 This manual provides basic concepts about surveying and is intended for use in the training course Surveying Methods for Local Highway Agencies. The manual and course are intended for town, village, city, and county personnel who have field responsibilities related to highway construction and maintenance. It is not intended for engineers, technicians, or surveyors with a background in surveying. This manual is patterned after the similar publication developed by the Cornell Local Roads Program with contributions by Maine and several other LTAP Centers. We also want to acknowledge Paul Cooney, P.E., L.S. for his valuable assistance in teaching workshops for the Transportation Information Center (T.I.C.). Donald Walker, T.I.C. Director, author Lynn Entine, Entine & Associates, editor © Copyright November 2002 Wisconsin Transportation Information Center (LTAP) 432 N. Lake Street, Madison, WI 53706 Phone: 800/442-4615 Fax: 608/263-3160 e-mail: [email protected] URL: http://tic.engr.wisc.edu 2 Surveying manual Surveying is the science of determining the relative positions of objects or points on the earth’s surface.