xii
Preface
a Chapter 2, “Where in the Geospatial World Are You?,” explains how
coordinates for location-based data and measurements from a threedimensional (3D) world are translated into a two-dimensional (2D) map
on a computer screen.
a Chapter 3, “Getting Your Data to Match the Map,” discusses reprojection
and georeferencing, important information when you’re using any sort of
geospatial data.
a Chapter 4, “Finding Your Location with the Global Positioning System,”
introduces GPS concepts. Taking a handheld receiver outside, pressing a
button, and then having the device specify your precise location and plot
it on a map sounds almost like magic. This chapter demystifies GPS by
explaining how the system works, why it’s not always perfectly accurate,
and how to get better location accuracy.
Part 2 focuses on Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
a Chapter 5, “Working with Digital Spatial Data and GIS,” serves as an
introduction to GIS, examining how real-world data can be modeled and
how GIS data can be created and used.
a Chapter 6, “Using GIS for Spatial Analysis,” covers additional uses of GIS,
including querying a database, creating buffers, and geoprocessing.
a Chapter 7, “Using GIS to Make a Map,” offers instruction on how to classify
your data and how to transform GIS data into a professional-looking map.
a Chapter 8, “Getting There Quicker with Geospatial Technology,”
discusses concepts related to road networks, such as: How are streets,
highways, and interstates set up and used in geospatial technology? How
does the computer translate a set of letters and numbers into a map of an
actual street address? How do programs determine the shortest route
from point a to point b?
Part 3 examines issues related to remote sensing.
a Chapter 9, “Remotely Sensed Images from Above,” focuses on aerial
photography. It explains how the field started over 150 years ago (with
a man, a balloon, and a camera) and continues today with unmanned
aerial vehicles flying over Iraq and Afghanistan. This chapter also
describes how to visually interpret features in aerial imagery and how
to make accurate measurements from items present in an image.
a Chapter 10, “How Remote Sensing Works,” delves into just what remote
sensing is and how it works, and how exactly that image of a house is
acquired by a sensor 500 miles away. The chapter also discussses all of
the things that a remote sensing device can see that are invisible to the
human eye.
a Chapter 11, “Images from Space,” focuses on the field of satellite remote
sensing and how satellites in orbit around Earth acquire images of the
ground below.
Preface
a Chapter 2, “Where in the Geospatial World Are You?,” explains how
coordinates for location-based data and measurements from a threedimensional (3D) world are translated into a two-dimensional (2D) map
on a computer screen.
a Chapter 3, “Getting Your Data to Match the Map,” discusses reprojection
and georeferencing, important information when you’re using any sort of
geospatial data.
a Chapter 4, “Finding Your Location with the Global Positioning System,”
introduces GPS concepts. Taking a handheld receiver outside, pressing a
button, and then having the device specify your precise location and plot
it on a map sounds almost like magic. This chapter demystifies GPS by
explaining how the system works, why it’s not always perfectly accurate,
and how to get better location accuracy.
Part 2 focuses on Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
a Chapter 5, “Working with Digital Spatial Data and GIS,” serves as an
introduction to GIS, examining how real-world data can be modeled and
how GIS data can be created and used.
a Chapter 6, “Using GIS for Spatial Analysis,” covers additional uses of GIS,
including querying a database, creating buffers, and geoprocessing.
a Chapter 7, “Using GIS to Make a Map,” offers instruction on how to classify
your data and how to transform GIS data into a professional-looking map.
a Chapter 8, “Getting There Quicker with Geospatial Technology,”
discusses concepts related to road networks, such as: How are streets,
highways, and interstates set up and used in geospatial technology? How
does the computer translate a set of letters and numbers into a map of an
actual street address? How do programs determine the shortest route
from point a to point b?
Part 3 examines issues related to remote sensing.
a Chapter 9, “Remotely Sensed Images from Above,” focuses on aerial
photography. It explains how the field started over 150 years ago (with
a man, a balloon, and a camera) and continues today with unmanned
aerial vehicles flying over Iraq and Afghanistan. This chapter also
describes how to visually interpret features in aerial imagery and how
to make accurate measurements from items present in an image.
a Chapter 10, “How Remote Sensing Works,” delves into just what remote
sensing is and how it works, and how exactly that image of a house is
acquired by a sensor 500 miles away. The chapter also discussses all of
the things that a remote sensing device can see that are invisible to the
human eye.
a Chapter 11, “Images from Space,” focuses on the field of satellite remote
sensing and how satellites in orbit around Earth acquire images of the
ground below.