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Geospatial Reference Systems

This document contains a student's responses to questions about geospatial reference systems. It defines key terms like geoidal separation, geoid, ellipsoid, and coordinate system. It also explains the need for map projections and describes the UTM projection system used in Kenya. Finally, it provides details about several international organizations and space geodetic techniques that contribute to global reference frames and our understanding of Earth system dynamics.

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Clintone Omondi
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34 views

Geospatial Reference Systems

This document contains a student's responses to questions about geospatial reference systems. It defines key terms like geoidal separation, geoid, ellipsoid, and coordinate system. It also explains the need for map projections and describes the UTM projection system used in Kenya. Finally, it provides details about several international organizations and space geodetic techniques that contribute to global reference frames and our understanding of Earth system dynamics.

Uploaded by

Clintone Omondi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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NAME: CLINTONE OMONDI REG.

NO: F19/2160/2020
FGE 421 – GEOSPATIAL REFERENCE SYSTEMS

1. State the difference between the following;


a. Geographic/geodetic coordinates – Coordinates used to locate objects on the
earth’s reference surface in a 2D or3D surface
Planar/projected coordinates – Coordinates used to locate objects on the surface of
flat surface of the map in a 2D space.

b. Orthometric height – is the vertical distance H along the plumbline from a point of
interest the geoidal surface.
Ellipsoidal height – This is the height above the ellipsoid in reference measured
along the ellipsoidal normal

c. Reference system – It defines how positions are measured and enables accurate
positioning of features on the earth surface.
Reference frame – is a conceptual framework that realizes reference system
through geodetic network

d. Coordinate conversion – This is the process of changing coordinate projection


system within the same coordinate system without the change of datum
Coordinate transformation – This is the process of changing coordinates from one
coordinate system to another and involves change in datum.

e. Absolute positioning – refers to specifying location of an object or a point in a


coordinate system using a fixed reference point.
Relative positioning – refers to specifying location of an object or a point in a
coordinate system using a changing reference point.

2. Define the term geoidal separation and state the formula for computing it.
This refers to the vertical distance between the geoid and the reference ellipsoid
N=h–H
Where N = geoidal separation
h = ellipsoidal height
H = orthormetric height

3. Define the following terms:


i) Geoid – This is a surface of equal gravitational potential that represents
mean sea level when extended across continets.
ii) Ellipsoid – A mathematically defined surface that approximates the true
figure of the earth used as a reference frame for computations of locations.
iii) Coordinate system – A mathematical frameworks used to specify the
location of points in space, providing a way of represenring and describing
positions in 2D or 3D space.
iv) Georeferencing – is the fixing of real world objects within a spatial
frameworks of a particular coordinate system.
v) Geoidal separation - This refers to the vertical distance between the geoid
and the reference ellipsoid.

4. What are map projections and why are they necessary? Briefly explain the UTM projection
with specific reference to UTM Zones used for mapping in Kenya.

Map projections are systematic transformations of earth’s 3 dimensional surface


onto a two dimensional plane, usually map.

Why map projections are necessary

 They are necessary because when you try to represent a spherical earth on a
flat surface on a flat map, distortion occurs, different map projections are
designed to minimize specific types of distortion, such as shape, area,
distance and direction.

UTM Projection

This is a map projection system that divides the world into series of narrow latitude zones, each
spanning 6 degrees of longitude. The earth is divided into 60 such zones, numbered from 1 to 60,
starting from 180 degrees west longitude.

This projection uses transverse Mercator projection for each zone.

It also divides the world into horizontal bands, each 8 degrees apart. There are 20 latitude bands in
total from C to X, excluding letters O and I to avoid confusion with the numbers 1 and 0. Kenya is
covered by the two UTM zones, UTM 36M and 37N.

5.
a) IERS (International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service):
IERS is an international scientific organization that monitors Earth's
rotation and provides standards for various Earth-related reference
systems, including time scales, celestial reference frames, and Earth
rotation parameters. Its work is essential for precise positioning,
navigation, and understanding Earth's dynamics.

b) ITRS (International Terrestrial Reference System): ITRS is a reference


frame used for geodesy and navigation. It provides a stable reference for
Earth's surface, crucial for precise positioning systems and scientific
research. ITRS takes into account Earth's dynamic processes to maintain
accuracy over time.

c) ITRF (International Terrestrial Reference Frame): ITRF is a specific


realization of ITRS, representing Earth's surface at a particular epoch. It
provides accurate coordinates for geodetic and scientific applications,
accommodating changes in Earth's orientation and crustal movements.
ITRF is regularly updated to ensure its reliability.

d) IGS (International GNSS Service): IGS is a global network of stations and


data centers that collect, analyze, and distribute data from satellite
navigation systems like GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou. IGS data is
essential for applications such as precise positioning, geophysical
research, and monitoring Earth's movements.

e) VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry): VLBI is a high-precision


technique used in radio astronomy and geodesy. Multiple radio
telescopes observe the same astronomical object, allowing precise
measurements of Earth's orientation, crustal movements, and celestial
object positions. VLBI contributes to our understanding of Earth's
dynamics and the universe.

f) GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System): GNSS refers to satellite-


based navigation systems like GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou. These
systems provide signals from space, enabling accurate positioning and
navigation on Earth's surface. GNSS is widely used in various
applications, including transportation, surveying, and location-based
services.

g) SLR (Satellite Laser Ranging): SLR is a technology used to measure


distances between ground stations and orbiting satellites with
exceptional precision. Laser pulses are sent to satellites equipped with
retroreflectors, allowing accurate determination of satellite orbits,
Earth's gravitational parameters, and tectonic plate movements. SLR is
vital for geodetic and Earth science research.

h) LLR (Lunar Laser Ranging): LLR involves measuring the distance between
Earth and the Moon with high precision. Laser pulses are sent to
retroreflectors placed on the Moon's surface by Apollo missions,
allowing scientists to study the Moon's orbit, Earth-Moon interactions,
and test theories of gravity. LLR provides valuable insights into
fundamental physics and celestial mechanics.

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