NTDTV englishnews2011.10.20---Earth Gets 3D Close-Up with New Topographic Map

NTDTV englishnews2011.10.20---Earth Gets 3D Close-Up with New Topographic Map
Earth Gets 3D Close-Up with New Topographic Map
NASA and Japan have released images of the most detailed three-dimensional topographic map of the Earth ever produced. The map was created using data collected by a Japanese instrument mounted aboard NASA's Terra spacecraft.

Data for the new topographic map was collected by Japan's ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) which was launched aboard NASA's Terra satellite on December 18, 1999.

Its mission was to map and monitor the changing surface of Earth.

The map updates the first version, produced in 2009.

By merging two, slightly offset two-dimensional images, ASTER produces a three-dimensional effect of the terrain beneath it.

The new and improved version of the map adds 260 thousand additional stereo-pair images to the overall picture.

NASA says it features improved spatial resolution, increased horizontal and vertical accuracy, and more realistic coverage over bodies of water and the ability to identify lakes.

The ASTER data cover 99 percent of Earth's landmass and span from 83 degrees north latitude to 83 degrees south.

Each elevation measurement point in the data is 98 feet apart.

Using a fly-over of the Hawaiian island of Oahu as an example of what has been achieved, NASA says the images are available to the public free of charge.

地球獲取3D關閉，新的地形圖
美國航天局和日本相繼發布了地球有史以來生產的最詳細的三維地形圖的圖像。搭乘美國宇航局的Terra飛船安裝一個日本儀器收集的數據是使用地圖。

日本的ASTER（高級星載熱發射和反射輻射計），它是搭乘美國宇航局的Terra衛星上，1999年12月18日推出新的地形圖的數據收集。

它的使命是改變地球表面的地圖和監控。

地圖更新，在2009年產生的第一個版本。

通過合併，稍有偏差的二維圖像，翠菊生產下方的地形的立體效果。

地圖的新的和改進的版本增加了260萬額外的立體聲對圖像的大局。

美國宇航局說，它的功能提高了空間分辨率，水平和垂直精度和更真實的水和識別能力，湖泊的機構，覆蓋面增加。

ASTER數據覆蓋從北緯83度以南83度99％的地球陸地面積和跨度。

高程測量的數據在每個點相距98英尺。

使用一隻蒼蠅以上的瓦胡島，夏威夷島的例子，已經取得的成就，美國宇航局說，免費向公眾提供的圖像。