module 2: Geographic data

Census

Information connected to a location that has data about physical and human characteristics

Fieldwork

Learning and doing research with 1st hand experience, which is outside of a classroom setting

Absolute location

Precise position on earth

Latitude(lines)

Horizontal lines circling earth parallel to the equator; degree of distance north or south from the equator which is 0 as far as the poles at 90

Longitude(lines)

Vertical lines on earth that make imaginary circles connecting the north to South Pole

Prime meridian

0 degree longitude that runs through Greenwich England aka Greenwich meridian

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A system of 24 satellites that orbit earth 2x daily and transmit radio signals; the basis for many map based apps that provide directions on how to get from one place to another

Geographic information system (GIS)

Software application for capturing, storing, checking, and displaying data related to positions on earth; allows quick manipulation of geospatial data for problem solving and research

Remain sensing

The scanning of earth by satellite or high flying aircraft in order to get info

Aerial photography

Remote sensing photography that produces fine grained, high resolution, highly details pictures.

Satellite imagery

Pictures of earth gathered form sensors on satellites; record both visible and non visible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, allowing us to see patterns and processes the at are both visible and invisible to the naked eye