NASA's Terra spacecraft yields improved topographic map of earth

Washington, Oct 18 (ANI): A significantly improved version of the most complete digital topographic map of Earth has been released, thanks to NASA's Terra spacecraft.

The map, known as a global digital elevation model, was created from images collected by the Japanese Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer, or ASTER, instrument aboard Terra.

NASA and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released the first version of the map in June 2009.

The improved version of the map adds 260,000 additional stereo-pair images to improve coverage.

It features improved spatial resolution, increased horizontal and vertical accuracy, more realistic coverage over water bodies and the ability to identify lakes as small as 0.6 miles (1 kilometre) in diameter.

The map is available online to users everywhere at no cost.

"This updated version of the ASTER global digital elevation model provides civilian users with the highest-resolution global topography data available," said Mike Abrams, ASTER science team leader at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

"These data can be used for a broad range of applications, from planning highways and protecting lands with cultural or environmental significance, to searching for natural resources," he added. (ANI)