While we know the name and understand the function of many government agencies, there are some that are a bit obscure. This doesn't mean, however, that they aren't important to making the nation run smoothly. The U.S. National Geodetic Survey is one such agency that supports our nation's transportation and infrastructure.
It can be helpful to understand what the world "geodetic" means. This term refers to geodesy which is a branch of science dedicated to determining the shape and size of the Earth and the location of points all over the globe. The scientists at this agency work on everything from shoreline mapping to emergency response imagery and airport surveys.
To define and maintain the National Spatial Reference System is the main purpose if this agency. Accurate information about every square inch of the United States, including land and water is what this system basically provides. Information about latitude and longitude as well as scale, height, gravity and orientation is continuously maintained by their staff. Throughout the year or over time, these types of statistics change as the earth continues to move and change.
The construction of roads and bridges, as well as creating accurate property lines and the likes is what this type of information benefits greatly from. Problems can occur if the measurements are inaccurate. For example, a ship could run aground, if a map shows the depth of the ocean incorrectly, even if it's just an error of a few feet. Proper mapping and surveying is one of the many examples of how society benefits from it.
Highly accurate maps are produced at the U.S. National Geodetic Survey and a number of their staff are using satellites and other technology. To help recording changes in elevation, slope, scale and height other tools are used which comes in several variety. You have probably seen engineers and surveyors using a theodolite on your neighborhood as this is one frequently used surveyor's tool.
The theodolite is a device that measures angles in the horizontal and vertical planes. You can imagine how it important it is to know the angle and slope of land in general especially in the creation of our roads and in the construction of homes and other buildings. Even a small error could result in a building settling improperly or a bridge or road being constructed incorrectly. At the U.S. National Geodetic Survey, a theodolite is just one of the tools that might be used. A clinometer, also called an inclinometer, also might be used to measure angles of slope.
It can be helpful to understand what the world "geodetic" means. This term refers to geodesy which is a branch of science dedicated to determining the shape and size of the Earth and the location of points all over the globe. The scientists at this agency work on everything from shoreline mapping to emergency response imagery and airport surveys.
To define and maintain the National Spatial Reference System is the main purpose if this agency. Accurate information about every square inch of the United States, including land and water is what this system basically provides. Information about latitude and longitude as well as scale, height, gravity and orientation is continuously maintained by their staff. Throughout the year or over time, these types of statistics change as the earth continues to move and change.
The construction of roads and bridges, as well as creating accurate property lines and the likes is what this type of information benefits greatly from. Problems can occur if the measurements are inaccurate. For example, a ship could run aground, if a map shows the depth of the ocean incorrectly, even if it's just an error of a few feet. Proper mapping and surveying is one of the many examples of how society benefits from it.
Highly accurate maps are produced at the U.S. National Geodetic Survey and a number of their staff are using satellites and other technology. To help recording changes in elevation, slope, scale and height other tools are used which comes in several variety. You have probably seen engineers and surveyors using a theodolite on your neighborhood as this is one frequently used surveyor's tool.
The theodolite is a device that measures angles in the horizontal and vertical planes. You can imagine how it important it is to know the angle and slope of land in general especially in the creation of our roads and in the construction of homes and other buildings. Even a small error could result in a building settling improperly or a bridge or road being constructed incorrectly. At the U.S. National Geodetic Survey, a theodolite is just one of the tools that might be used. A clinometer, also called an inclinometer, also might be used to measure angles of slope.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier loves blogging about precision scientific instruments. To get more information about surveying products like a surveyor compass, or to find other alignment instruments, go to the Warren Knight website today.
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