NASA Global Map Projections online
G.Projector - Global Map Projector Projecting the oblique spheroid known as Earth onto a 2 dimensional surface is one of the major issues addressed by Geographers and Cartographers. Robert B. Schmunk (rschmunk@giss.nasa.gov) at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies at 2880 Broadway New York, NY 10025 USA has created an excellent free resource called G.Projector. G.Projector is a Java application which allows you to explore a large collection of global map projections. These may then be projected as an GIF, JPG or PNG equirectangular map image. Longitude-lattitude gridlines and continental outlines may be drawn, and the resulting map images may be saved to disk in GIF, PDF, PNG or PS form. G.Projector requires that your computer have a Java 1.4 virtual machine, or better, installed. It is available to download at the NASA GISS site Click here. Included at the site is a nice list of projections describing their characteristics. This is a great site for professionals as well as educators. The graphic representation creates a visual that will aid in our understanding of a some what complicated concept. Continue reading
TIGER Mapping Service using public geographic census data
Most map librarians know about the Tiger Mapping Service, but for those of you interested in learning more, check out the U.S. Census Bureau's Mapping and Cartographic Resources. TMS is a geographic map service which produces public domain GIF images of map data which is derived from Tiger/Line® data. The primary goal of the service is to provide a public resource for generating high-quality, detailed maps of coverage within the United States and outlying areas, using a public geographic data source. To find out about the project, Click Here To go straight to the maps, Click Here Continue reading
National Wetlands Research Center Library
Welcome to the National Wetlands Research Center Library: Not Just Another Library -- A Special Library: Fact Sheet (FS) 2007-3028 provides information to visitors and other external users of the National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC) library. Libraries are grouped into four major types: public, school, academic, and special. The NWRC library is classified as special because it is sponsored by the Federal government, and the collections focus on a specific subject. The NWRC library is the only USGS library dedicated to wetland science, and its collections include subject specialties in forested wetland ecology, fire science, spatial analysis, remote sensing, modeling, statistical analysis, marsh and coastal prairie management and restoration, plant communities, habitats, aquatic ecosystems, climate change, wetland loss, hurricanes, nutrient dynamics, and limnology. Editing, design, layout, and Web posting of this FS were provided by staff of the Lafayette and Denver PSCs. NWRC Fact Sheet Continue reading
USGS Launches Land Cover Data Web Tool
USGS Launches Land Cover Data Web Tool San Francisco, Calif. - On April 12th the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced the launch of the new USGS Land Cover Visualization and Analysis Tool, which allows users to analyze, in specific detail, how land cover has changed over time. Designed for both novice and expert users, the web-based system provides an intuitive interface able to selectively view and analyze land cover data from any web browser. The USGS is soliciting users to evaluate the preview release of the application. For more information, go to http://emmma.usgs.gov/landcover "Land cover data has been a largely untapped information resource. With increasing population and the challenging prospect of climate change, comprehensive information about the condition of our land, and how it is changing, becomes more and more vital," said Barbara Ryan, USGS Associate Director for Geography. "An easy-to-use Web-based application that delivers national land information assets to a wider audience and clearly demonstrates how our environment is changing broadens opportunities to incorporate land cover data in decision making." Visit this link for the complete announcement. Continue reading
International Polar Year March 2007-March 2009
International Polar Year Thanks to advances in global telecommunications technologies, people worldwide have a rare opportunity to follow, and sometimes even participate in, Arctic and Antarctic research and exploration as part of the International Polar Year (IPY), a global scientific campaign which began in March 2007. IPY promises to advance our understanding of how the Earth's remote polar regions affect global climate systems, to bring about fundamental advances in many areas of science, and to fire the enthusiasm of young men and women for careers in science and engineering. The Polar Year actually will extend from March 1, 2007, until March 1, 2009, to allow researchers to conduct two annual observing cycles in each region, particularly in isolated areas that are prohibitively cold and dark for roughly six months of the year. The USGS Educational Resources Index for IPY lets you explore a variety of USGS resources on polar research, from maps and fact sheets to photographs and databases. Designed for researchers, students, teachers and others interested in research and findings related to polar science, this index contains more than 65 different resources. Check it out at USGS/IPY, and keep checking for updates. For more information, contact Robert Ridky at (703) 648-4713 or rridky@usgs.gov. Continue reading
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