INTRODUCTION TO GEOSPATIAL
TECHNOLOGY
LECTURE-1,2
16.01.25
20.01.25
What are geospatial technologies?
• Geospatial technologies- the range of modern tools
contributing to the geographic mapping and analysis of the
Earth and human societies.
• These technologies have been evolving in some form since
the first maps were drawn in prehistoric times.
• In the 19th century, the long important schools of cartography
and mapmaking were joined by aerial photography as early
cameras were sent aloft on balloons and pigeons, and then on
airplanes during the 20th century.
• The science and art of photographic interpretation and map
making was accelerated during the Second World War with
the advent of satellites and computers.
Contd….
• Satellites allowed images of the Earth’s surface and human
activities therein with certain limitations.
• Computers allowed storage and transfer of imagery together
with the development of associated digital software, maps,
and data sets on socioeconomic and environmental
phenomena- called geographic information systems (GIS).
• An important aspect of a GIS is its ability to assemble the
range of geospatial data into a layered set of maps.
• This ‘layering’ is enabled by the fact that all such data includes
information on its precise location on the surface of the Earth,
hence the term ‘geospatial’.
Types of geospatial technologies
• Remote Sensing
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Internet Mapping Technologies
Remote Sensing
• Imagery and data collected from space- or
airborne camera and sensor platforms.
• Some commercial satellite image providers
now offer images showing details of one-
meter or smaller, making these images
appropriate for monitoring humanitarian
needs and human rights abuses.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• A suite of software tools for mapping and
analyzing data which is georeferenced
(assigned a specific location on the surface of
the Earth, otherwise known as geospatial
data).
• GIS can be used to detect geographic patterns
in other data, such as disease clusters
resulting from toxins, sub-optimal water
access, etc.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
• A network of U.S. Department of Defense
satellites which can give precise coordinate
locations to civilian and military users with
proper receiving equipment
• A similar European system called Galileo
operational
Internet Mapping Technologies
• Software programs like Google Earth and web features like
Microsoft Virtual Earth are changing the way geospatial data
is viewed and shared.
• The developments in user interface are also making such
technologies available to a wider audience whereas
traditional GIS has been reserved for specialists and those
who invest time in learning complex software programs.
Google Earth
• Represents 2D and 3D view
of the earth based on
satellite images.
• Developed by Keyhole, Inc.
• Later acquired by Google,
renamed as Google Earth in
June, 2005.
• The earth as a whole is
mapped by superimposition
of data onto a 3D globe Figure 1: Google Earth
using Keyhole Markup (https://google-earth.en.softonic.com/)
Language (KML).
Applications of Google Earth
• Google Earth displays satellite images of varying resolution of
the Earth's surface in both 2D and 3D view.
• The resolution generally ranges from 15 cm to 15 metres.
• Although most of the places can be viewed only in 2D images;
however, certain features such as buildings and terrain of a
few places can also be observed in 3D view.
• For 3D view, Google Earth utilizes NASA's Shuttle Radar
Topography Mission (SRTM) that provides data in Digital
Elevation Model (DEM).
Applications of Google Earth (Contd..)
• Besides visualization, Google Earth can also be used to
search for places of interest or address besides browsing for
a location.
• Google Earth is also used for finding a location by entering
the geographical coordinates, viz. latitude and longitude of a
place.
• Google Earth also has a unique platform where people can
add their own data which is made available through various
sources such as Bulletin Board Systems (BBS).
Bhuvan
• Geo-portal of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
that was started in 2009.
• It provides data pertaining to Earth observation, GIS
functionalities, remote sensing as well as visualization
services to users in public domain for varied applications.
• Available in 4 Indian languages- English, Hindi, Tamil and
Telugu.
• More than 6000 GIS map and services such as crowd
sourcing services are currently being offered by Bhuvan
portal.
• Besides, Government agencies use this platform to share and
host their data as per their requirements.
• Bhuvan acts as a clearinghouse for satellite data that can be
downloaded by users from NRSC Open EO Data Archive for
research activities.
