REMOTE SENSING RESEARCH IN GEOGRAPHY AT MOSCOW UNIVERSITY

A paper describing activities of the Laboratory of Remote Sensing Methods at Moscow University presents a chronology of the Laboratory's efforts to improve sensor capabilities for acquiring remote sensing data and to develop more effective image processing techniques. Among the accomplishments cited are early advances in sensor system design and photochemical processing in conjunction with “Salyut” orbital station activities, multispectral imaging experiments in conjunction with high-resolution space photography from the Soyuz-12 (1973) and Soyuz-22 (1976) missions, testing of the first high-resolution Soviet (“Fragment”) scanner imagery (1984), and ongoing work in digital and applied image processing. Translated from: Vestnik Moskovsskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1987, No. 2, pp. 27-31.     

AN INSTRUMENT-AIDED METHOD OF INTERPRETING SCANNER IMAGERY OF THE EARTH'S CLOUD COVER

The author, noting the high cost and complexity of automated methods of processing imagery of the earth's cloud cover, presents a less sophisticated, instrument-aided method yielding similar results. A procedure for analyzing cloud cover patterns based on color synthesis of two-band scanner imagery from Soviet “Meteor” and American NOAA-series weather satellites using a synthesizing projector is outlined. This method adds the interpretation key of color to those of cloud structure and form in the analysis of cloud patterns, enhances cloud-underlying surface contrasts, and compares favorably with more highly automated methods in image preparation and interpretation time. Translated by Jay Mitchell; PlanEcon, Inc.; Washington, DC 20005 from: Izvestiya vysshykh uchebnykh zavedeniy, Geodeziya i aerofotos'yemka, 1987, No. 5, pp. 95-98.     

V. I. LENIN AND SOVIET CARTOGRAPHY

The contributions of V. I. Lenin to Soviet cartography, as well as cartographic activity taking place as a direct result of his initiative, are reviewed. He decreed the organization of mapping services and his original and practical recommendations served as a basis for production of significant scientific maps and atlases which were effective tools in the organization and management of the Soviet economy and in educational institutions for many decades. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: Izvestiya AN SSSR, seriya geograficheskaya, 1989, No. 2, pp. 108–111.     

COLOR SYNTHESIS OF MULTISPECTRAL IMAGERY FOR MAPPING PURPOSES

The authors describe common Soviet practice in the making of false-color composite imagery for visual interpretation. Also addressed are standard image interpretation techniques: figure-ground color contrast, color separation (number of color gradations occurring within an average contrast range), and so-called landscape indicator techniques. Related issues, such as selection of spectral bands and filters for specific interpretation tasks, and the changing reflectance characteristics of band-specific intermediate images, receive attention as well. Tables and figures illustrating relationships between photographic contrast, film contrast ratings, optical densities, and spectral bands are included. Translated from: Geodeziya i kartografiya, 1985, No. 4, pp. 41-46.     

PHOTOMAPS FROM SPACE: THEIR PRODUCTION AND POSSIBLE USES

This paper outlines, from the Soviet perspective, technical principles for the use of remote sensing imagery in mapping, with special emphasis on the compilation of small-scale space photomaps—composite map-space images in which the thematic detail of a photographic image is enhanced and/or supplemented by cartographic techniques. Two systems for producing such images, one Soviet and the other East German, are compared and a series of basic procedures identified—production of orthographic images, compilation of a terrain model and original image of relief, stereoplotting of contours on an orthophotographic base, and overall map design. A concluding section explores potential applications of space photomaps in geographic research. Translated from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1986, No. 1, pp. 49-56.     

THE SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF SOVIET CARTOGRAPHY—SOME ACHIEVEMENTS AND TASKS OF RESTRUCTURING

This article, based on a presentation to the All-Union Conference on Cartography in the Era of the Scientific and Technological Revolution in November 1987, contains an eminent Soviet cartographer's evaluation of the state and development of Soviet cartography and his impressions concerning the tasks which lie ahead over the era of economic restructuring and social change. Translated from: Izvestiya Akademli Nauk SSSR, seriya geograficheskaya, 1988, No. 3, pp. 17-21 by Jay K. Mitchell, PlanEcon, Inc., Washington, DC 20005.     

THE CURRENT STATUS OF BATHYMETRIC MAPPING

A review article on world bathymetric mapping activity over the last quarter century from a Soviet perspective provides information about Soviet mapping programs of the deep sea and continental shelf. In addition, it addresses a number of methodological issues in bathymetric mapping which are attributed to the lag between advances in practical mapping activity and the development of cartographic theory—the selection of isobath intervals and appropriate scales for different sea floor features and intended map uses, and the proper use of layer tinting and other graphic techniques to depict variations in water depth without obscuring details of submarine topography. Translated from: Vestnik Leningradskogo Universiteta, seriya 7 [geologiya, geografiya], 1987, No. 2, pp. 62-71.     

阿富汗艾娜克铜矿工程抵偿坐标系的建立

在GPS控制网数据处理中,对长度投影变形的处理至关重要。本文通过选取抵偿投影面很好的限制了矿区内的综合投影变形,为艾娜克铜矿工程测量控制网的建设提供了坚实的理论依据。同时,边长尺度强制约束法的运用进一步消弱了长度变形,使得新建控制网和原控制网能够很好的吻合,为利用前人的地质勘探及测量资料创造了条件。     

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES AND PRESENT RESEARCH OBJECTS IN THE FIELD OF ANALYTICAL BLOCK TRIANGULATION WITH THE BUNDLE ADJUSTMENT METHOD IN FINLAND

The Photogrammetric Society was honoured to be addressed by the Congress Director of the International Society for Photogrammetry during March 1974. Professor Halonen's lecture covered several aspects of current photogrammetric research in Finland. The following account contains contributions by two of his colleagues, J. Hakkarainen and H. Salmenperä, on specific aspects of lens distortion and block adjustment.     

CARTOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF GAME ANIMAL RESOURCES IN THE MIDLANDS REGION OF THE USSR

The authors describe the principles and method used in compiling a map of game animal resources for the Midlands region, the name given to the middle segment of the Soviet Union comprising West Siberia, Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The results make it possible to recommend the optimal use of game resources and to identify future prospects of the trapping and hunting economy. Translated from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1982, No. 5, pp. 17-23.     

SOVIET GEODESISTS IN THE CENTRAL ARCTIC

The work of a recent Soviet geodetic surveying expedition to the Central Arctic and the Barents Sea off Franz Josef Land is described, with an emphasis on gravimetric surveying and determination of gravimetric control points at the North Pole and at two drifting polar research stations. In addition, glacier fields of Alexander Land (Franz Josef Land) were mapped and keys for their interpretation on space imagery identified. Translated from: Geodeziya i kartografiya, 1988, No. 3, pp. 9-12.     

LAPLACE AZIMUTHS

Abstract

The Americans having started this hare suggested at the Stockholm Congress that a certain number of Laplace stations should be considered the hall-mark of any geodetic triangulation wherever situated. It is therefore pertinent, rather than impertinent, to examine the history of the North American datum at Meades Ranch, Kansas, to see whether the American situation is really known in America.     

WORLD ATLAS OF THEMATIC MAPS OF DESERTIFICATION

The author describes the contents and participation of former Soviet republics in the compilation of a global atlas of desertification, published under the auspices of the United Nations. Translated by H. L. Haslett, Leamington Spa, UK, from: Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, seriya geograficheskaya, 1991, No. 6, p. 130.     

THE DEVELOPMENT AND INTRODUCTION OF AUTOMATION INTO CARTOGRAPHY

The author, in response to a critical review of his book on automation in cartography by K. A. Salishchev (see preceding article), defends his ideas on “raster digitizing” (proposed as only one of several approaches to cartographic automation) by documenting the need for a certain level of uniformity in the storage and presentation of information. In the process he continues a debate on the theoretical basis that should govern the development of automated cartography that occupied the entire “Cartography” section of the May 1986 issue of Geodeziya i kartografiya. In a preface to the section, the editorial board of the Soviet journal emphasized that there is no single, universally accepted position on standards for automating cartography or on the ultimate role automation should play in the discipline as a whole. Translated from: Geodeziya i kartografiya, 1986, No. 5, pp. 38–43.     

USE OF A CENTER-PERIPHERY MODEL IN MAPPING SOCIAL-TERRITORIAL DIFFERENCES

General principles underlying the study of spatial inequality are outlined from a Soviet perspective before more specific coverage of guidelines for its portrayal in cartographic form. Questions addressed in the development of a center-periphery model for isarithmic mapping of socioeconomic differences in Hungary include selection of appropriate indices and samplings of data points for mapping, and methods for data normalization and comparison. Examples of both aggregate and more narrowly focused maps of living conditions are included. Translated from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1985, No. 4, pp. 68-74.     

AN OVERVIEW OF GEOLOGICAL EXPERIMENTS CARRIED OUT ON BOARD MANNED SPACECRAFT AND SPACE STATIONS

An introductory paper to a series of articles on geological applications of remote sensing imagery produced from manned space flights chronicles a progression in research from the simple identification of geomorphological complexes during space flight to specific programs of observation and hand-held photography on board orbiting space stations. The coverage is primarily devoted to Soviet achievements over the period 1961–1982, especially to work conducted on board the space stations Salyut-5 through Salyut-7. Translated by Jay K. Mitchell, PlanEcon, Inc., Washington, DC 20005 from: B. M. Zubarev, V. V. Kozlov, and V. V. Lebedev, Kosmonavty issleduyut Zemlyu [Cosmonauts Study the Earth]. Moscow: Nauka, 1991, pp. 37–41.     

CURRENT PROBLEMS IN OCEAN MAPPING

The author, in a review of papers presented at the First All-Union Conference on the Geography and Mapping of the Oceans, outlines the present status and current trends of marine cartography in the USSR. Issues warranting increased attention include development of a systems approach for the mapping of marine ecosystems; improvement of methods and principles for the mapping of coastal zones, bottom relief, and shelf topography; and accelerated production of economic/resource maps of the oceans. Work now underway on a comprehensive, multi-volume A tlas of the Oceans reflects a Soviet concern with these issues. Translated from: Geodeziya i kartografiya, 1984, No. 12, pp. 38-42.