The quest for the true figure of the Earth

An interesting book on history of geodesy and more specifically on the quest for the figure of the Earth. When we start learning geodesy the introduction says that geodesy is the study about the shape and size of the Earth. So this book is very relevant with the introduction of geodesy.

The book was written by Michael Rand Hoarae (b.1933) of London University.

Routledge publication

the contents:

Chp 1 A dispute in the making; Chp 2 Prelude to an odyssey; Chp 3 Some technicalities; Chp 4 The Lapland expedition; Chp 5 The Peru expedition; Chp 6 Meanwhile in Paris; Chp 7 Death and deliverance; Chp 8 A grievous aftermath; Chp 9 Once more unto the Meridian; Chp 10 A modern postscript.

Michael Hoare (source)

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Figure of the Earth - French Academy of Sciences contribution

The task of determining size and shape of the Earth has for long been one the main challenges undertook by geodesists.  Among the most active participants contributing in this field is the French Academy of Science. Their contributions were documented and can be accessed by interested researchers for re-assessing the historical works done by big names in geodesy of the past likes Cassini, Bouguer, Clairaut and many more.

Pierre Bouguer (1698-1758) - wiki

- son of Jean Bouguer -

At least there were two doctoral thesis in history have been written on such topic;

"The French Academy of Sciences Expedition to Spanish America 1735-1744" a PhD thesis by Robert Finn Erickson (b.1923). The thesis was for PhD in History, University of Illinois 1955.

"Astronomy and the Paris Academy of Sciences During the Eighteen Century" a PhD thesis by Seymour Leon Chapin (b.1926). The thesis was for PhD in Modern History, UCLA 1964.

Of particular interest of Chapin's work is in Chapter 4 -"Geodetical work of the academician"

source - D Desktop225... Jan2017

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Global Surveyors Day

FIG has announced the inauguration of the Global Surveyors Day which is to be celebrated on March 21.

The poster

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Quiz 1 (Ind Svy)

Quiz 1 for subject Industrial Survey was held this morning. All students registered attending the session. The quiz covers the first few lectures particularly on the introduction to IS and its basic concept.

The girls

The boys

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Majlis Persaraan PM Kamaludin

Dua staf FGHT - Tuan Haji Ibrahim (Penolong Pendaftar) dan PM Kamaludin Hj Omar bakal bersara wajib. THI mengakhiri perkhidmatan pada 14 Mac manakala PM Din pada pertengahan April. Satu majlis menjelang persaraan mereka diadakan petang tadi. Sebagaimana biasa kedua bakal pesara telah menyampai ucapan ringkas masing2 dalam sesi tersebut.

Foto bersama yang staf diraikan

Foto kenangan bersama PM Kamaluddin

 PM Kamaluddin telah menyumbang tenaga kepakaran geodesi selama 37 tahun kepada UTM dan negara.

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Kursus LS Pejuta

Pada minggu lalu satu kursus pendek telah dianjurkan di FGHT. Kursus tersebut mendedahkan teknologi ukur TLS dan dihadiri oleh beberapa ahli Pejuta (Persatuan Juruukur Tanah Berlesen). Antara yang hadir adalah dua LS yang juga merupakan rakan sekelas waktu di UTM (ketika itu UTM Jalan Gurney).

Bersama LS Mohd Razif (kiri) dan  Shaharuddin Musa (kanan)

Mohd Razif Isha menubuhkan syarikat Juruukur Razif beroperasi di Taman Meru Perdana Ipoh manakala Shaharuddin Musa ialah Prinsipal kepada Jurukur Putra di Taman Ukay Perdana.

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Introduction to Geodesy (2018)

There were so many textbooks on geodesy been written and already available. But the developments in  geodesy are keep on going and these drive new book to be written so that the new trends in geodesy are covered. Recently a new book on geodesy entitled "Introduction to Geodesy" was published (available from Feb 2018). The book is 239 pages and sells at Amazon at USD74 (hardcover).

Nisbet graduated with a MS degree in Geodetic Science from OSU.

front cover

back cover

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