There are many agencies of the United States Government and some are certainly not very well known. This doesn't lessen their importance though as they contribute in making the nation stay on course. With regards to our nation's transportation and infrastructure, the U.S. National Geodetic Survey agency supports such function.
The word "geodetic" and its meaning can help one understand its purpose. The branch of science dedicated to determining the shape and size of the Earth and the location of points all over the globe is known as Geodesy. The agency and its scientists work from mapping to emergency response imagery and airport surveys to everything related to it.
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.
This type of information is important for many tasks including the construction of roads and bridges, as well as creating accurate property lines and much more. If the measurements are inaccurate, this can cause many problems. For instance, if a map shows the depth of the ocean incorrectly, a ship could run aground, even if it's just an error of a few feet. This is just one example of how proper mapping and surveying benefits society.
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.
A device that measures angles in the horizontal and vertical planes is the theodolite. It is important 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 and one can't imagine them without it. A building settling improperly or a bridge or road being constructed incorrectly can be caused by the slightest error. A theodolite is just one of the tools that might be used at the U.S. National Geodetic Survey. Another device that may also be used to measure angles of slope is the clinometer which is also called an inclinometer.
The word "geodetic" and its meaning can help one understand its purpose. The branch of science dedicated to determining the shape and size of the Earth and the location of points all over the globe is known as Geodesy. The agency and its scientists work from mapping to emergency response imagery and airport surveys to everything related to it.
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.
This type of information is important for many tasks including the construction of roads and bridges, as well as creating accurate property lines and much more. If the measurements are inaccurate, this can cause many problems. For instance, if a map shows the depth of the ocean incorrectly, a ship could run aground, even if it's just an error of a few feet. This is just one example of how proper mapping and surveying benefits society.
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.
A device that measures angles in the horizontal and vertical planes is the theodolite. It is important 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 and one can't imagine them without it. A building settling improperly or a bridge or road being constructed incorrectly can be caused by the slightest error. A theodolite is just one of the tools that might be used at the U.S. National Geodetic Survey. Another device that may also be used to measure angles of slope is the clinometer which is also called an inclinometer.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier loves writing about precision scientific instruments. For more details about surveying products such as a surveyor compass, or to find other alignment instruments, check out the Warren Knight site now.