Category Archives: Surveying
Transformation of Observations Part 2
In my previous article in the September issue, I demonstrate one method of taking conventional/optical observations and converting them into GNSS baseline vectors. Here I demonstrate how to create a map projection system that is near the ground, and thus on the surface we survey. These map projections are commonly referred to as low-distortion projections;...
The Hayden Example
Igor Kidinsky—known on this survey crew as Eager (The Kid)—carried the shovel and pick. Glenny Dale—known as Glutton (The Old Man)—carried the plans and metal detector. They had been looking for block corners and had found a mixture of old and new pins. Now they were looking for interior lot corners and came upon a...
A Re-imagined “24 Miles Round London”
Kristjana Williams, an Icelandic artist who lives and works in London, is fascinated by maps, mythical creatures, and Victorian engravings. She brings historical works of cartography back to life using vibrant, digital collages. Pictured here is her interpretation of Daniel Paterson’s “24 Miles Round London” map, originally published in 1791. Paterson’s map presents London’s surrounding...
A Pennsylvania Traverse Low-Distortion Projection
This article coincides with the December 2014 xyHt print article, Transformation of Observations – Part 2. In the September 2013 issue of Professional Surveyor is Dr. Charles Ghilani’s excellent article entitled “Grid versus Ground.” The article demonstrates the error created by ignoring elevation in traverse computations and describes the numerical and logical errors inherent...
Artful GNSS
Things in the nation’s capital can happen quickly, but only when the parties involved agree to work closely together towards a common goal. Internationally renowned artist Jorge Rodriquez-Gerada was given six months to develop a plan and complete a six-acre painting using sand and topsoil. His canvas would be an incredibly high-profile piece of National...
What is xyHt?
Stand in the place where you live Now face North Think about direction Wonder why you haven’t before “Stand” – R.E.M. Why an obscure geodetic expression? It’s not all that obscure—it represents a foundational element requisite to nearly all human endeavor. It touches your life explicitly and in the abstract. All of the ways that...