In News 
NASA's GRACE to soon begin mapping tiny variations in Earth's gravity
If only Sir Isaac Newton were alive today! The mastermind of humanity's first scientific theory of gravity would surely be amazed by NASA's upcoming Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment. Better known as "GRACE," the mission will use a pair of satellites to map tiny variations in our planet's gravitational field. "Every month during GRACE's 5-year expected lifetime we will get a map of Earth's gravitational field," says Michael Watkins, project scientist for GRACE at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). "We'll be able to see various phenomena that involve transporting mass around -- and how much mass they're actually moving. These are things that aren't easy to see with any other type of measurement." GRACE's gravity maps will have a spatial resolution of about 300 km on the ground. Scientists expect the maps to reveal plenty of complex features caused by, e.g., mountains, ice sheets, and subducted oceanic plates. Earth's large-scale structure (flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator) will appear in the maps as well. Maps of Earth's gravitational field already exist, but GRACE will improve their precision 100-fold and allow scientists to monitor changes. Ocean studies will benefit greatly from the data. For example, GRACE maps will reveal new information about the shape of our planet's oceans.
Visit: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast30oct_1.htm & http://www.csr.utexas.edu/grace/
Top Stories
Paragon Imaging and Galileo Group sign strategic hyperspectral imaging partnership
Paragon Imaging, leading developers of Image Processing/GIS Software, announced today that they have signed an agreement with Galileo Group, Inc., industry leaders in hyperspectral imaging. This strategic alliance will fuse Galileo's unique and proprietary spectral detection algorithms (patents pending), with Paragon's proven image exploitation tools (ELT Series Software) in a new product called SpotLite(TM). SpotLite will enable users to ingest large spectral data cubes, apply algorithms and identify selected target and features quickly and easily. A multi/hyperspectral image contains a series of data, which has been simultaneously recorded. This data includes a series of narrow bands (channels) over a broad region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Each pixel in a multi/hyperspectral image contains the "spectral signature" of the imaged area. While everything being imaged reflects light differently (trees, grass, roads, cars, etc.), these unique reflections provide the ability to distinguish the subtlest differences in the "spectral signatures" of land and other features.
Visit: http://www.galileo-gp.com/ & http://www.paragon.com/
ERDAS rolls out Marketing Encyclopedia
ERDAS, the leading geographic imaging software vendor, has found a new way to serve its customers - faster, better and more precisely. Effectively immediately ERDAS' sales force now has access to a revolutionary sales tool that helps them customize information about geographic imaging solutions for current and new customers. "The new ERDAS Marketing Encyclopedia changes the way ERDAS provides timely information to our customers," said Richard McKay, Director of Sales and Marketing for ERDAS. The Marketing Encyclopedia, or EnCyc, allows the sales person to digitally distribute any collateral from ERDAS' database such as brochures, press releases, power points, white papers or movies. The information is sent to the customer via e-mail with a link to a customized ERDAS Web page that contains the information sought. An additional benefit of customizing the digital collateral for each individual customer is that the tool can allow customers to see how others in their industry via article reprints and case studies are using ERDAS' affordable and easy-to-use software.
Visit: www.erdas.com
Mapping out the future in school
What could careers in archeology, real estate, crop-inventory management, and emergency dispatch possibly have in common? If you ask the students lined up at computers in Laraine Hawkins's classroom at Franklin High School, they'll tell you all those fields, and dozens more, offer jobs that rely on Geographic Information Systems. Known as GIS, the computer technology assembles, stores, and displays data referenced by location. Hawkins is teaching four introductory classes in GIS this semester, part of a trend toward career-mindedness at the school. Under a proposed reorganization of the high school's structure, the product of two years of committee study, students would follow one of five career pathways, which are suggested sequences of courses, to develop their skills and interests. The plan, expected to come before the School Committee this fall, recommends career paths in arts and communications; science and technology; business, marketing and finance; health; and science and technology. Part of the restructuring is the addition of advanced courses in career-ready skills like GIS, combined with out-of-school internships to put them to practical use. Hawkins's computer students have racked up an impressive body of real-life experience, mapping car accidents for the Franklin Police Department and wetlands for Franklin's town planners. Their latest project is a map of walking trails in the town forest, requested by the Conservation Commission, to be posted on the town's Web site. Read complete story at: http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/301/west/Mapping_out_the_future_in_school+.shtml
Eurimage to be the Master Distributor for worldwide QuickBird data in Europe
As the exclusive distributor of world-wide data from DigitalGlobe's QuickBird sub-meter satellite in Europe and the Mediterranean Basin, successfully launched on October 18, Eurimage is preparing for data distribution of the world's highest resolution satellite in early February,
when QuickBird data becomes commercially available. Products offered include QuickBird, Landsat, ERS, IRS, RADARSAT and others.
Visit: www.eurimage.com
Susan Marlow grows high-tech mapmaking from home business to national operation
From the playroom of her family home to an office complex on Riverside Drive in Franklin, Susan Marlow has seen the company she started in 1989 grow into a $8 million-plus business.
Smart Data Strategies is in the business of geographic information system (GIS) mapping on a contract basis taking property tax roles of counties and municipalities, then digitally combining them with aerial photos and maps. Last year, the company launched an initiative to create a parcel-level GIS database encompassing the entire United States and make it available over the Internet through its eMaps-Plus.com Web site. So far, the Web site includes about 24 counties in Florida, areas of California, Nevada, and Alabama, as well as Davidson County and Maury County in Tennessee. Some of the information is free, but the bells and whistles features that allow users to do more detailed searches and build mailing lists generally come with a fee attached. SDS is working deals with governmental entities to share the revenue from fees generated with the additional services, Marlow says. Marlow started Strategic Data Services in her family's home in Franklin with the help of her husband, Billy, who handled marketing chores. Originally from Sparta, Marlow attended the University of Tennessee, majoring in general business, and later went to work making maps.
Visit: http://nashville.bcentral.com/nashville/stories/2001/10/29/smallb2.html
GPU Telecoms adopting Intergraph Geospatial OSS Solution
Intergraph Corporation has announced that GPU Telecoms, a division of GPU Power UK, has selected Intergraph's Geospatial Operations Support System (G/OSS), OSP/Comms to support the development of the company's new fiber optic communications network. The network will be built in the Midlands area of England and will utilize 39,000 miles of overhead lines and underground cables belonging to GPU Power UK. Plans to deploy and manage a wide range of services across the new network required a configurable, open solution that could be rapidly implemented. GPU Power UK already employed an extensive Intergraph planning and maintenance system for their electric network, enabling GPU Telecoms network planning staff to utilize existing corporate resources and data. The OSP/Comms solution will add a full range of industry-standard fiber management and analysis functionality. Designing the fiber network and its interconnection with coax and copper networks will be much quicker and new services can be deployed at a faster rate.
Visit: www.intergraph.com & http://www.gpupower.co.uk/
GEMI Corp Joins EarthScan's ImageNetwork*
EarthScan Network, a leading geospatial information solutions provider, and GEMI Corp., a leading distributor of a broad array of geospatial information products through their GEMI Store outlet and publisher of the Earth Observation Magazine (EOM) and Modern Agriculture magazines, have announced that GEMI Corp. will join the ImageNetwork*, an expanding list of EarthScan-hosted e-commerce store fronts and Intranets. EarthScan will develop an ImageCommerce* Solutions storefront for GEMI Corp, which will provide their clients online access to a multitude of image sources, hosted applications, and geospatial information products. GEMI Corp will also be able to offer EarthScan technology solutions to their clients.
Visit: www.EarthScan.com & www.gemistore.com
Asia News
October 2001 : EO Satellite boom
The TES is a major technological advancement for India especially in the field of Earth Observation. It is a one metre resolution system based on the architecture of EROS-1A. Its launch is accompanied by the launch of other high-resolution imaging satellites for both defence and commercial use.
Visit: http://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/2001/oct/cv.htm
Autodesk Design Technology Expo- 22nd Oct to 5 Nov 2001
Autodesk India Private Limited is conducting design technology expo in 5 major cities showcasing the entire range of Autodesk Software Solutions, the expo which started on 22nd Oct 2001 in Hyderabad received overwhelming response from customers, partners and system integrators was mainly aimed at driving Autodesk technology in building design, Manufacturing and GIS/Infrastructure segments.
The day long expo showcased some of the latest building design solutions, wherein, Autodesk latest flagship product AutoCAD 2002 was presented. In the forenoon session a complete manufacturing solution catering to the 2D mechanical design and 3D design System was presented. In the GIS/Infrastructure session, Autodesk presented a complete desk top to Internet to enterprise solution catering for the entire supply chain management of large organization/co-operates. During the presentation the following products were showcased. Autodesk MAP R5, Autodesk CADOverlay, Autodesk MAP Guide R5 and Autodesk On Site. Autodesk On Site is the latest product launched for Indian Market, which fulfills the requirement of taking the engineering/design information to the point of work for design consumption. This mobile solution will help the manufacturing engineers, construction engineers, facility managers, to carry their design information to the place of work to implement design solution.
Visit: www.autodesk.com/india
National Geographic Honors Leading Chinese Geographer
Chinese geographer Hou Renzhi, renowned for achievements in desertification research and preservation of ancient Chinese cities, received an award from the National Geographic Society (NGS)of the United States here Thursday.
The NGS Committee for Research and Exploration Chairman's Award, the top honor from the committee, recognized the excellent work of Hou, an NGS grantee who has contributed to new knowledge of the world, said Martha Church with the committee, who presented the award.
Hou received a grant from the committee in 1989 to "assess the garden history and geographical significance of two Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) parks in northern China."
Hou, now 90, was considered one of China's most productive geographers and his work has transcended the boundaries of natural and social science, Church said.
Hou, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is especially known for his studies on desertification in northwest China which placed the country's historical geography at the forefront of such research throughout the world.
Read complete Story at: http://www.china.org.cn/english/2001/Oct/21203.htm
Korea, China to cooperate in e-commerce
Korea and China yesterday agreed to establish a joint committee for overlooking electric commerce between the two countries and launch a Korea-China economic trade cooperation website during a high-ranking diplomatic meeting in Seoul.
Thus, e-commerce that once took place at a private level has been upgraded to a government-to-government business, signaling its growing significance, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE) said.
The ministry said that a joint committee would be responsible for standardizing e-commerce trade regulations and promote e-commerce investments.
Also, if the joint committee is founded between the two countries, the network should be expanded further to include Japan, with whom Korea has already signed an e-commerce cooperative agreement, MOCIE said.
As for the Korea-China economic trade cooperation website, details will be decided during a ministerial meeting scheduled for early next year for talks on developing Korea-China investment cooperation
Source: Korean Herald
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