GEODETIC WORK IN INDIA—WAR AND POST-WAR

Abstract

Although during World War II field work on geodetic subjects other than those directly connected with the war effort remained practically in abeyance, the war provided unique opportunities for the study and execution of several interesting problems such as the linking of Indian triangulation with Iraq and Iran on the one hand and Siam and Malaya on the other. A detailed account of the Geodetic work of the Survey of India during the period 1939-47 is given in the Survey of India “Technical Report 1947—Part III, Geodetic Work”.     

GEODETIC SIGNALS IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Abstract

So much has been written in the Empire Survey Review and other publications on the somewhat controversial subject of “Luminous or Opaque Signals in Geodetic and Primary Triangulation” that it may be of interest to give an outline of the types of signals used on such work in Southern Rhodesia, with particular reference to the completion of the Eastern Geodetic Circuit in 1935 and the type of signal that it has been decided to adopt for future work.     

PROGRESS OF THE GEODETIC SURVEY OF NEWFOUNDLAND

Abstract

The third season (1937) of the Geodetic Survey of Newfoundland has now ended, the second in which angular measurements were made. Approximately half of the basic project has been finished, and two more seasons will leave little of it incomplete.     

THE GEODETIC EVIDENCE CONCERNING WEGENER'S HYPOTHESIS

Abstract

Before concluding the discussion of longitudes, a few notes have been collected to illustrate the kind of discordance which can be found in longitude determinations of a higher class than those reviewed above. In the 1926 World Determination of Longitudes, the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey parties at Niu, near Honolulu, made observations which disclose some ranges in derived longitudes which may be regarded as representative.     

ADJUSTMENT OF THE SECONDARY TRIANGULATION OF SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

The Secondary Triangulation of South Africa consists of a uniform network of triangles of from 5- to 10-mile sides, enmeshed in the Geodetic and Primary Triangulations. As a rule the Primary Triangulation is rigorously adjusted by least squares, and the Secondary made to conform to it by an approximately rigorous method which was introduced into the Trigonometrical Survey in 1920 by the late Dr van der Sterr.     

A NOTE ON THE TRIGONOMETRICAL SURVEY OF SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Abstract

After the completion of Simms's Geodetic Chain in 1901 and the publication of the results in 1905—Volume iii of the Geodetic Survey of South Africa—nothing further of a geodetic nature was done until 1928 when a short chain was run westwards from Simms's chain, at about latitude 17° 10′, to fix the Copper Queen mining area. The Eastern Circuit was commenced shortly after this; it runs from Salisbury eastwards to the Portuguese Boundary, southwards through Umtali to about latitude 20° and then westwards, joining Simms's chain again to the east of Bulawayo. Another chain running north from Simms's work has been commenced near Bulawayo. The several series are exhibited on the outline map attached.     

A TRIANGULATION SYSTEM FOR NEWFOUNDLAND

Abstract

Following a request from the Commission of Government of Newfoundland, the Canadian Government has consented to an arrangement whereby the Geodetic Survey of the Department of the Interior will assist the Island Government in laying down two main nets of triangulation as the basis for the survey development of Newfoundland. The completion of the final practical details was reached in Ottawa recently, and the work, it is expected, will extend over a period of five years.     

NOTES ON THE GEODETIC SURVEY OF SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Abstract

Triangulation.—Apart from Simms' Geodetic Chain, Gordon's Chain, the Copper Queen Limb, and a section of the Victoria and Umtali Series, all the primary triangulation shown on the accompanying map has been executed since 1933. The work of Simms and Gordon has been remodelled, however, being greatly strengthened, and these chains are now called Simms' and Gordon's Series. For an explanation and plan of the above Series, see “A Note on the Trigonometrical Survey of S. Rhodesia”, in the Empire Survey Review, no. 27, vol. iv.     

THE TRANSVAAL-SOUTHERN RHODESIA GEODETIC CONNEXION

Abstract

In the original geodetic series in Southern Rhodesia—completed by Mr Alexander Simms in 1901—the geographical coordinates of all stations were referred to the point SALISBURYas origin. The coordinates of SALISBURY were fixed by interchange of telegraphic signals with the Royal Observatory at the Cape for longitude, combined with astronomical determinations of time, latitude, and azimuth (see Vol. III, “Geodetic Survey of South Africa”).     

THE UNITED STATES COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY: ITS WORK AND PRODUCTS

Abstract

The United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, an agency devoted to the public service of the United States, has just completed the 50th year in its second century of progress. The activities of the Survey in the fields of engineering, science, and higher mathematics provide facts needed in the planning and execution of many of the activities of the nation; our end-products are indispensable to the day-to-day operations of many lines of business and commerce. Thus this highly technical bureau directly aids the United States Department of Commerce in carrying out the mandate of Congress to promote, foster, and develop the industry and commerce of the United States.     

THE UNITED STATES COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY: ITS WORK AND PRODUCTS

Abstract

As the name of the Coast and Geodetic Survey indicates, it is the agency of the United States Government which is responsible for geodetic control surveys. Originally our geodetic surveys were made for control of surveys of the coast and to provide a proper base for the nautical charts of the coastal waters. By Congressional action in 1871 these activities were expanded to furnish basic control for the interior of the country, including geodetic connections between the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts of the United States.     

The North American datum of 1983: Project methodology and execution

A new adjustment of the geodetic control networks in North America has been completed, resulting in a new continental datum—the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83). The establishment ofNAD 83 was the result of an international project involving the National Geodetic Survey of the United States, the Geodetic Survey of Canada, and the Danish Geodetic Institute (responsible for surveying in Greenland). The geodetic data in Mexico and Central America were collected by the Inter American Geodetic Survey and validated by the Defense Mapping Agency Hydrographic/Topographic Center. The fundamental task ofNAD 83 was a simultaneous least squares adjustment involving 266,436 stations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America. The networks in Greenland, Hawaii, and the Caribbean islands were connected to the datum through Doppler satellite and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations. The computations were performed with respect to the ellipsoid of the Geodetic Reference System of 1980. The ellipsoid is positioned in such a way as to be geocentric, and its axes are oriented by the Bureau International de l'Heure Terrestrial System of 1984. The mathematical model for theNAD readjustment was the height-controlled three-dimensional system. The least squares adjustment involved 1,785,772 observations and 928,735 unknowns. The formation and solution of the normal equations were carried out according to the Helmert block method. [Authors' note:This article is a condensation of the final report of the NAD 83 project. The full report (Schwarz,1989) contains a more complete discussion of all the topics.]     

SIR DAVID GILL AND THE GEODETIC SURVEY OF SOUTH AFRICA AND THE ARC OF THE 30TH MERIDIAN

Abstract

In the memoir of the late Capt. G. T. McCaw which appeared in the January number of this Review (vii, 47,2), reference was made to the part which the late Sir David Gill played in the origin of the work on the survey of the Arc of the 30th Meridian in Africa. This year is the centenary of Gill's birth, as he was born in June 1843, and it is therefore timely to give some account of his work during his long term of office as Her Majesty's Astronomer at the Cape which resulted inthe inception and completion of the Geodetic Survey of South Africa and the survey of the Arc to the southern shores of Lake Tanganyika. He died on 24th January 1914.     

THE AFRICAN ARC OF THE 30th MERIDIAN

Abstract

This project, which is now well known to surveyors not only in Africa but all over the world, was first visualised by Sir David Gill, who for many years was H.M. Astronomer at the Cape Observatory. It is fitting to commence by giving in his own words his conception of the work, the part of which from South Africa to the Equator has now been completed. The following extracts are taken from the paper “On the Origin and Progress of Geodetic Survey in South Africa, and of the African Arc of Meridian”, by Sir David Gill,K.C.B., F.R.S.     

THE NEV GEODETIC TAVISTOCK THEODOLITE

Abstract

The first instrument of the new design of the Geodetic Tavistock theodolite was received by the Geodetic Service of Canada early in 1939. It has now been well tried out both in field and laboratory, and a few minor changes have been accepted by the manufacturer. The reactions of field men and the results of laboratory tests may be of interest.     

Desktop Mapping on the Apple Macintosh

Abstract

This paper describes the range of topographic maps produced by the Danish Geodetic Institute, some of the production methods together with plans for the future.     

DETERMINATION OF TAPE TEMPERATURES ON THE MEASUREMENT OF THE WANKIE AND SABI GEODETIC BASES,SOUTHERN RHODESIA (1953)

Abstract

The Wankie Geodetic Base was measured in May 1953 and the re-measurement of the Sabi Geodetic Base was also completed during the month following. For these measurements the standard “Macca” equipment was used, the gear being lent to the Southern Rhodesia Government by the Directorate of Colonial Surveys. As it was anticipated that both measurements would be made under hotter and more sunny conditions than normally prevail in England, the Directorate of Colonial Surveys suggested that the opportunity be taken of carrying out further tests in the determination of temperatures by the “resistance thermometer” as described by Messrs. Clark and Johnson of the National Physical Laboratory in their paper on the “Measurement of Temperature of Geodetic Surveying Tapes. Accordingly, through the good officesof the Director of the National Physical Laboratory, the apparatus comprising the resistance theremometer was made available for use on these two base measurements.     

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE DETERMINATION OF HEIGHTS ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL

Abstract

Preliminary Note.—The substance of this article was written in 1921 at the request of Lieut-Col. Wolff, who was then in charge of the Levelling Division of the Ordnance Survey and with whom the author collaborated in writing “The Second Geodetic Levelling of England and Wales, 1912–21” under the direction of Sir Charles Close. It was not intended for publication and was not again considered until 1928, when a discussion by correspondence was started by the Surveyor-General of Ceylon on the subject of hill circuits in levelling. In this discussion the survey authorities in Great Britain, Canada, India, and South Africa took part, but the main theme was the accumulation of error due to the large number of sightings necessary in hilly country and the question whether a common formula for such country and for flat country was justifiable. In his contribution Dr. van der Sterr made a brief allusion to the subject of the present paper and Dr. de Graaff Hunter went into details. His contribution and the following remarks therefore have some arguments in common.