Picture post: Mega Map - June 30, 2009
NASA and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry yesterday released what they say is the “most complete” topographic map of Earth.
Until now the most complete set of data available publicly to researchers covered 80% of the Earth’s landmass. Now new Aster (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) satellite data takes that up to 99%, says the American space agency (press release).
“Aster’s accurate topographic data will be used for engineering, energy exploration, conserving natural resources, environmental management, public works design, firefighting, recreation, geology and city planning, to name just a few areas,” says Mike Abrams, leader of the science team leader behind the new map.
Image: view of the Bhutan Himalayas generated by draping simulated natural colour image over data from the new ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model / NASA
