Journal of Geodesy (2018) 92:219–222 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-018-1110-x
IAG NEWSLETTER
IAG Newsletter Gyula Tóth1
© Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018
IAG Communication and Outreach Branch, Department of Geodesy and Surveying, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 1521, Budapest, Hungary e-mail:
[email protected]; Fax: +36 1463 3192; URL: http:// www.iag-aig.org/. The IAG Newsletter is under the editorial responsibility of the Communication and Outreach Branch (COB) of the IAG. It is an open forum, and contributors are welcome to send material (preferably in electronic form) to the IAG COB (
[email protected]). These contributions should complement information sent by IAG officials or by IAG symposia organizers (reports and announcements). The IAG Newsletter is published monthly. It is available in different formats from the IAG internet site: http://www.iag-aig.org. Each IAG newsletter includes several of the following topics:
Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics of Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences.
I. II. III.
The scope of the Symposium covered different aspects of the definition, realization and maintenance of the European Reference Frame, with five sessions on:
IV. V. VI.
General information Reports of IAG symposia Reports by commissions, special commissions or study groups Symposia announcements Book reviews Fast bibliography.
Reports Report of EUREF Symposium 2017 in Wrocław, Poland The 2017 EUREF Symposium was held in Wrocław, Poland, May 2017–2019. It was preceded by a half-day tutorial May, 16, on “Real-Time Infrastructure and Applications in Europe.” The number of participants in the Symposium was 106 and in the Tutorial 52. The local organizer was the
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Gyula Tóth
[email protected] http://www.iag-aig.org/ IAG Communication and Outreach Branch, Department of Geodesy and Surveying, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest 1521, Hungary
1. Systems: ETRS89, EVRS (Conveners: Zuheir Altamimi and Markku Poutanen); 2. Networks: EPN, UELN, Densification (Conveners: Elmar Brockmann and Ambrus Kenyeres); 3. Techniques: GNSS, Levelling, Combination (Conveners: Rolf Dach and Martina Sacher); 4. Applications: Earth Sciences, Geo-information (Conveners: Alessandro Caporali and Rosa Pacione); and 5. National Reports (Conveners: Jan Krynski and Guenter Stangl). A total of 35 oral presentations and 18 posters were given in the Symposium. Reflecting the large number of poster presentations, a poster introduction session was included in the first day’s program. Additionally, a 1-h discussion forum was organized on the ETRF2014 related topic. One of the major themes in the Symposium was the Future of Reference Frames. A questionnaire was sent to all European countries in March 2017, the main goal being to find out needs and opinions on the new ETRS89 realization in
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Europe, ETRF2014. The questionnaire was induced by the resolution No. 3 of 2016 Symposium. Based on the results of the questionnaire, a presentation was given, there was the discussion forum with a very lively and active participation and further, a resolution was accepted on the topic. The main outcome of the questionnaire was that there are different needs in countries, different practices and a lot of variable opinions; as well there exist also practical restrictions to adopt a new reference frame in the near future. This fact is reflected in the 2017 resolution No. 1 where the currently recommended realization ETRF2000 is retained as well. Another future reference frame-related item was dynamic (kinematic) reference frame and its impact on European reference frames. As an example, the project of the Nordic Geodetic Commission was introduced, with goal to study possibilities and conditions to establish a dynamic reference frame in Iceland. New reference frame approach will be topical in coming years and subject of next Symposia. Discussion on crustal deformation and deformation models, methods and applications led to the establishment of a new working group on dense velocity fields. Additionally, the development and performance of the EUREF Permanent GNSS Network (EPN) was presented, as well relations to EPOS (European Plate Observing System), gravity-related heights and environmental effects of GNSS signals. As usual, the presentations will be uploaded on the EUREF web page. This year, there will be the opportunity of peer-reviewed publication of presentations in a special issue in Geodesy and Cartography. Also, as a result of 2016 Symposium resolutions, the Terms of References (ToR) were renewed and the new ToR were accepted. Mostly there were only updates of existing ToR, with changes in membership definition and voting. Earlier, Nations were divided into two categories, A (IAG member Nations) and B (others). This division was removed, and all European countries participating the work of EUREF are equal. Clarification of voting in the plenary was given, as well tasks of the National representatives as the contact points between EUREF and Nations. The name of the Technical Working Group was changed to Governing Board to better reflect its tasks and position. Many thanks to the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, namely the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics, and especially to the Local Organizing Committee, chaired by Jan Kaplan, for their excellent work to organize the Symposium. Report compiled by Markku Poutanen and Wolfgang Söhne Book Review Juhani A. Kakkuri: Surveyor of the Globe. Story of the life of V.A. Heiskanen
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Title: Author: Publisher: ISBN: Year: Price: Details: Other:
Surveyor of the Globe. Story of the life of V.A. Heiskanen Juhani A. Kakkuri National Land Survey of Finland, Helsinki 978-952-5329-71-1 (Finnish, published by Ursa) 2017 (English), 2008 (Finnish) e 29 (Finnish) 160 pages (Finnish) In English, the book is only available as an electronic book
Juhani Kakkuri, retired Director General of the famous Finnish Geodetic Research Institute, nowadays Geospatial Research Institute, wrote a marvelous book about one of the greatest Geodesist, Veikko Aleksanteri Heiskanen (1895– 1971), author of 141 scientific contributions! As the 1975 recipient of the “Veikko A. and Kaarina Research Award” of the Ohio State University, it is my pleasure to comment on the legendary book rich of remarkable photographs supported by the Heiskanen Family Society. The book was first published in Finnish, finally this year in English. Very fascinating is its contents list: Thanks Background Childhood and Adolescence Cartographic work in Finland before Heiskanen The Finnish Geodetic Institute 1918–1925 In the University of Technology Geoid Research Research into Isostasy Years in America A Respected Person Sources V.A. Heiskanen’s Publications
IAG Newsletter
In “Background” the author explains why V.A: Heiskanen was the world famous researcher of isostasy. Very charming is the story of Mikko Levander who was the vicar of Kuhmoinen: the first daughter married another famours Geodesist, Yrjö Väisälä. When Väisälä was appointed professor at the University of Turku, Heiskanen inherited his desk. Indeed, when Heiskanen married Mikko Levander second daughter Kaarina a reasonable prediction was whom the third daughter was marring? It was the last daughter of her father! Being no surprise anymore, Aili married Uuno Pesonen at the Finnish Geodetic Institute who took over from Heiskanen as the director when Heiskanen moved to the University of Technology in Helsinki, of course, also his desk. It was my honor to sit at the legendary desk, when I was often visiting the Finnish Geodetic Research Institute: it has numerous drawers and levels—. “Childhood and Adolescence” includes photographs of the parents, home and parents, childhood memories, study years in Savonlinna, patriotic action and happy marriage. Of special importance is the chapter on “Astronomy”: as a student of Hans Ludendor in Potsdam, Star World, first volume of “Tähtitiede” and his second volume, Spherical Astronomy. Co-founder of “The Ursa Astronomical Association” his work on Solar Ellipses 1945, 1947 and 1954, together with T.J. Kukkamäki at the Ohio State University. “Cartographic Work in Finland before Heiskanen” illustrates the National History of Cartography; at the begin “Finland under the “Swedish Rule,” namely at the time of Charles IX and Gustav II Adolph, “Finland under the Russian Rule,” the basic Map Committee, the Donner’s Committee, the tasks and composition of the National Geodetic Institute. “The Finnish Geodetic Institute 1918–1925” is a wonderful review of the period 1918–1928: names like Bonsdor, Väisälä, Keränen, Pesonen, Leinberg, later Veikko Heiskanen were internationally well known. The review begins with the operational start and continues with Heiskanen entering the institute, namely with the principle of triangulation and its basic field work, “At the University of Technology” appointed V.A. Heiskanen started to teach Geodetic Science in 1928: at this time, he formed the famous International Isostatic Institute by purchasing first gravimeter. “It has been a pleasure to witness the rapid development of the University of Technology,” but Heiskanen returned in 1949 to the Finnish Geodetic Institute as head of the Institute. In eight years, he had graduated 6 new doctors! “Geoid Research” was in center of his research: it started with the work in a two- and three-axis reference ellipsoid. It was a center of his life when he moved in 1950 to the USA in order to study the Earth’s crust and the isostatic balance, namely at the Ohio State University. He founded the famous Department of Geodetic Science at OSU: “From about 1950 to 1970, the OSU geodetic science group was the most significant group of the geodetic researchers in the
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world. Founded almost entirely by the military and intelligence agencies, they pioneered the technologies, organized the research initiatives, ordered data sets and trained the generation of Geodesists.” quoting form J. Cloud, Stud. Hist. Phil. Mod. Phys. 31(2000) pp. 371–404, Elsevier Science Ltd. Research on the Gauss-Listing Geoid as the Mean Reference Sea Surface at a given epoch, the Astrogeodetic Geoid, the basic gravimetry, namely the Geoid of Hirvonen and Tanni and the highlight studies of the Standard Gravity Formula which was the legal reference on the International Reference Ellipsoid since 1930. “Research into Isostasy” made V.A. Heiskanen worldwide most famous. Based on studies of Bouguer and Everest, Pratt and Airy, Heiskanen and Vening Meinesz presented many studies which led the basic “Fennoscandinavian Land Uplift.” The result was the basis of the famous textbook V.A. Heiskanen and F. A. Vening Meinesz: The Earth and its Gravity Field, Mc. Grawhill, New York 1958. In the same year, W. Kaula and V.A. Heiskanen published “The Columbus Geoid: Discussion” Trans. Amer. Geophys. Union, 39(1958) No. 4. What is the situation of Isostasy nowadays? Thousands of scientists published scientific contributions related to Isostasy, both in Geophysics as well as in Geodesy. We name basic contributions of Geophysicists: Book and at least 20 scientific papers by R. Bintania et al. (2002), C. Cabanes et al. (2001), A. Cazenave et al. (2004), J. Church et al. (2004), J. Clark et al. (1978), J. Davis et al. (1996), B. Douglas et al. (2002),W. Farrell et al. (1976), K. Flemming et al. (2002), J. Hagedorn (2005), S. Holgate et al. (2004), P. Johnton et al. (1999), G. Kaufmann et al. (1957), V. Klemann et al. (2007), K. Lambeck et al. (2003), A. Lombard et al. (2003), Z. Martinek et al. (2005), R. McConnel (1968), G. Milne et al. (1999), J. Mitrovica et al. (2001), J. Okuno et al. (2001), W. Peltier (1994), P. Pizarolli (2000), A. Trupin et al. (1990), A. Hingham et al. (1991), D.Wolf et al. (2006), P. Wu et al. (2003), Y. Yokohama et al. (2005), C. Zweck et al. (2005) document the version of V.A: Heiskanen. Various analyses were published by Geodesists: for instance M.Ekman and L.E. Sjöberg (1984) analyzed land uplift and mean sea level in Stockholm 1774–1982, Uppsala University, in 1984, M. Ekman (1978), 1979, 1983, 1984), H.G. Scherneck (1983), A. J. Anderson (1984), H. Virtanen (2006), D. Crossley et al. (1999), V. Dehant et al. (1999), B. Ducame et al. (2004) J. Goodkind (1999), J. Hinderer et al. (1997, 2000, 2004), G. Jentzsch et al. (2004), J. Mäkinen (1990, 1995), H.P. Sun et al. (2002), T.M. van Dam et al. (1998), H.G. Wenzel (1996), R. Widmer-Schnidrig (2003), W. Zürn et al. (2000), O. Cadek et al. (2003) J.A. Clark et al. (1978), W.E. Fallell et al. (1976), G. Kaufmann et al. (1999, 2002), K. Lambeck (1995), W.R. Peltier et al. (1976), R. Sabadini et al. (1986), G. Spada et al. (2004, 2006), A. M. Tushingaam et al. (1991, 1993), J. Tromp et al. (2000), J.
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Wahr et al. (2002), P. Wu et al. (2000, 2005), S. Zhong et al. (2003). “Years in America” opens to quote “The world’s greatest Geodesist” for establishing the International Isostatic Institute as early as 1936 in Helsinki. But Heiskanen himself considered Vening-Meinesz as the greatest living Geodesist. Heiskanen considered “American-Wonderland.” First Heiskanen accepted an invitation of Caltech in 1948 to work there as an Visiting Professor. Second, in 1950 he followed an invitation of Professor G.H. Harding, Head of Mapping and Charting Research Laboratory to OSU: Columbus was the Capital of the State, hosting the largest American University. He lectured on Geodesy! Assistants were R. Hirvonen, S. Laurila, L. Kivioja, U. Uotila—all of Finnish origin and the Hungarian Ivan Mueller. Famous is, in addition, the “Columbus Program” entitled: “On the World Geodetic Reference System” published as early as 1951! Heiskanen stated “that the Earth can be considered a plane, a sphere, an ellipsoid of revolution, a three-axis ellipsoid and, on top, the Geoid depending on how large an area the mapping work is concerned and what level of accuracy one seeks to obtain.” Indeed, it makes sense to study this great program today. As early as April 1951, the program was recommended by the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics strongly supported by W.D. Lambert, G.H. Harding, G.P. Woollard and M. Ewing. Heiskanen sent a circular letter to some 200 Geodetic Institutes, universities, private scientists and 17 oil companies to get their support! A by-product has been the celebrated Columbus Geoid of type Gauss-Listing. As a “valued expert,” Heiskanen has been appointed to committee preparing NASA’s space missions. It was to the deep bitterness in the USA when Russia launched Sputnik 1 first. The new space geodetic measurements produced massive information on the dimensions of the Globe, its gravity field and the structure of the ocean surface in shortest time replacing geodetic measurements through the centuries. The research work led by Heiskanen culminated in 1960 when the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics held its General Assembly in Helsinki. It was largest meeting/conference ever arranged in Finland, founding deep sounding, new geodetic satellites and highly precise electrooptical measurement techniques as well as precise gravity. Absolute modern gravimeters were developed in USSR, Japan and USA, namely for land uplift observations. “After all we don’t know what is the shape of the Earth’s core,” the statement of Heiskanen.
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As a member of the Finnish Parliament Heiskanen took care of the “Finnishness,” he studied the Old University Act form 1920, the “right solution of the University Question” when he became in 1933 elected. He cared for the “Association of Finnish culture and Identity” and took responsibility of the “Finnish Cultural Foundation” as well as for the “Academic Karelia Society”. As the most respected Finnish person, Heiskanen was awarded the famous Bowie Medal—considered the equivalent the Nobel Prize in Earth Science—of 1956 in Washinton D.C: : D. Lambert called V.A: Heiskanen “a true American.” Numerous Academies, the Pontifical Academy of Science, the Linceorum, were electing him as a respected Earth Scientist. T.J. Kukkamäki, Heiskanen’s successor as the head of Finnish Geodetic Institute, wrote the following words to his predecessor “Few are the citizen of a small country who have managed through their own work … to mighty America … to enhance as much in the field of gravimetry” V.A: Heiskanen, one of the founder of the “Nordic Geodetic Commission,” was presented finally by a personal review of the “life and faith” of his family. Finally, it has to be mentioned that V.A: Heiskanen published his last contribution, the most popular book “Physical Geodesy” in 1967 (the book saw many reprints) together with the also famous co-author the Austrian Geodesist H. Moritz. Professor Dr. Dr. Ing. h.c. Juhani Kakkuri, born in the year 1933, from 1977 to 1998 Director General of the Finnish Geodetic Institute, nowadays called Finnish Geospatial Institute, has written one of the greatest historical books about one of the worldwide most known Geodesist V.A. Heiskanen. !Congratulations! I recommend its reading, not only to Geodesists, but Earth’s Scientists overall. Erik W. Grafarend