NASA unveils new 3D map of the globe

NASA has created the most complete digital topographic map of the world, and they've done it all in 3-D.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - NASA says the detailed maps would not have been possible using instruments on the ground, instead the images were taken by NASA's Terra spacecraft, then draped over an elevation map of the globe.

NASA officials claim the map now covers 99 percent of the Earth's land mass.

The images are absolutely stunning. In fact, it is virtually impossible to distinguish them from other images taken from space. Typically, images such as those found in Google Earth, are clearly jigsawed together and lack dimension. The NASA images, are clearly 3-D.

NASA was able to take the pictures by photographing the earth with two cameras at the same time. The two cameras deployed aboard the Terra satellite are slightly offset. The result are "stereo images." Stereo images can be made to appear as 3-D images.

Stereo imagery isn't new. In fact, the method of using stereo photography to create 3-D images is virtually as old as photography itself. However, using that technology to create a topographically and visually accurate map of the Earth has never been done before.

Developers say the entire map which was first released in 2009, has since been overhauled, has improved resolution and accuracy, and is able to identify bodies of water as small as 1 km across.
The new map is known to scientists as the, "Astor Global Digital Elevation Model." The new updated version of the model will now provide civilian users with the highest resolution global typography data available, according to Mike Abrams the science team leader at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

NASA has warned that the map still isn't perfect, and needs additional work in some spots. However, NASA scientists say the map is good enough that civilian agencies could use the data to plan roads and other, similar engineering projects.

Users can purchase the new maps by visiting here.

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