 Title page for Geodesy Second edition (1962) | |
| Author | G. Bomford |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Textbook |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
Publication date |
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Geodesy, also called Bomford's Geodesy, [1] is a textbook on geodesy written by Guy Bomford. Four editions were published, [2] in 1952, 1962, 1971, and 1980 respectively. [a] Bomford retired in 1966, though continued publishing editions of the book. [2]
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Geodesy is formatted as a textbook on the topic of geodesy, with particular emphasis on its applications to triangulation. For content on applied geodesy, it is assumed the reader can use a theodolite and a micrometer. The book also discusses the overlap between geodesy and the study of geophysics. [3]
Due to a limit on space, the first edition intentionally leaves out information on the history of geodesy, only including it when essential to understanding the current practices. In the same edition's acknowledgements, J. de Graaff-Hunter was noted for often discussing the book's content with Bomford. [3] Excluding appendices and following sections, the first edition is 391 pages long. [4]
The book's second edition included information on the tellurometer, which had been introduced after the first edition's publication, and its relevance to triangulation. This edition also covered more details on how the development of electronic computers impacted the field of geodesy. These updates brought the book more up to date in regards to technology and techniques developed since the first edition's publication. [5] [6] The book's third edition was a major rewrite of the second edition, as technology including electromagnetic distance measurement, computers, and artificial satellites had advanced so far since the previous edition. [7]
The fourth and final edition was published in 1980. [8]
A review of the second edition published in the Bulletin Géodésique stated that the book was worth purchasing for those that found use of the first edition. [9] J. C. Harrison, reviewing for Science , stated that a second edition was "most welcome" to make sure the books stayed current with the changing field. The review's main complaints were that the book focused too heavily on only British perspectives, and that it downplayed the utility of magnetic surveys. [10]
Reviewing the third edition for Geophysical Journal International , A. H. Cook described the editions as "the leading work on geodesy in the English language," and reviewed the edition as "surely maintain[ing] the reputation of its predecessors." The rest of the review remained positive, concluding by describing the book as "impeccable." [1] Peter J. Smith's review in Nature focused on the differences between this edition and the prior ones, and highlighting how the third edition described the use of new technology. [11]
A positive review was published in Geological Magazine by A. H. C., who described the fourth edition as "as comprehensive and up to date as ever." [12] Some negative points were brought up in J. W. Esson's review, published in Geological Journal , which complained the book explained processes but not their importance—the review described the book as "all technique but no passion." However, Esson went on to evaluate the book as "an invaluable reference" and "an unrivalled monolith." [13]
In geodesy, the figure of the Earth is the size and shape used to model planet Earth. The kind of figure depends on application, including the precision needed for the model. A spherical Earth is a well-known historical approximation that is satisfactory for geography, astronomy and many other purposes. Several models with greater accuracy have been developed so that coordinate systems can serve the precise needs of navigation, surveying, cadastre, land use, and various other concerns.
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil is a 1962 collection of poetry by J. R. R. Tolkien. The book contains 16 poems, two of which feature Tom Bombadil, a character encountered by Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings. The rest of the poems are an assortment of bestiary verse and fairy tale rhyme. Three of the poems appear in The Lord of the Rings as well. The book is part of Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium.
Reino Antero Hirvonen (1908–1989) was a famous Finnish physical geodesist, also well known for contributions in mathematical and astronomical geodesy.
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Sir Harold Jeffreys, FRS was a British geophysicist who made significant contributions to mathematics and statistics. His book, Theory of Probability, which was first published in 1939, played an important role in the revival of the objective Bayesian view of probability.
William Bowie was an American geodetic engineer.
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The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics is an international non-governmental organization dedicated to the scientific study of Earth and its space environment using geophysical and geodetic techniques. The IUGG is a member of the International Science Council (ISC), which is composed of international scholarly and scientific institutions and national academies of sciences.
Col Alexander Ross Clarke FRS FRSE (1828–1914) was a British geodesist, primarily remembered for his calculation of the Principal Triangulation of Britain (1858), the calculation of the Figure of the Earth and one of the most important text books of Geodesy (1880). He was an officer of the Royal Engineers employed on the Ordnance Survey.
Karl-Rudolf Koch is a German geodesist and professor at the University of Bonn (FRG). In the global geodetic community, he is well known for his research work in geodetic statistics, particularly robust parameter estimation and in gravity field models.
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An Earth ellipsoid or Earth spheroid is a mathematical figure approximating the Earth's form, used as a reference frame for computations in geodesy, astronomy, and the geosciences. Various different ellipsoids have been used as approximations.
The International Association of Geodesy (IAG) is a constituent association of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics focusing on the science which measures and describes the Earth's shape, its rotation and gravity field.
Irene Kaminka Fischer was an Austrian-American mathematician and geodesist. She was a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, and inductee of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency Hall of Fame. Fischer became one of two internationally known women scientists in the field of geodesy during the golden age of the Project Mercury and the Apollo program. Her Mercury datum, as well as her work on the lunar parallax, were instrumental in conducting these missions. "In his preface to the ACSM publication, Fischer's former colleague, Bernard Chovitz, referred to her as one of the most renowned geodesists of the third quarter of the twentieth century. Yet this fact alone makes her one of the most renowned geodesists of all times, because, according to Chovitz, the third quarter of the twentieth century witnessed "the transition of geodesy from a regional to a global enterprise."
Alwyn Rudolph Robbins was a British geodesist, former chairman of the Royal Society subcommittee on geodesy, and a founding fellow of St Cross College at the University of Oxford. Robbins published on geodesy and photogrammetry, with additional contributions to geodetic astronomy and the development of clocks. He held multiple positions within the International Association of Geodesy during his career as well.
Brigadier Guy Bomford was a British geodesist who, at various times in his career, worked for both the Survey of India and the Corps of Royal Engineers. He is best known for Geodesy, a textbook he wrote, as well as his work in military surveying and mapping. From 1963 to 1967 he served as the president of the International Association of Geodesy; the association's Guy Bomford Prize is named for him.
Ivan Istvan Mueller was a Hungarian-American geodesist and professor at Ohio State University, a leading training center for geodesy in the USA.
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Pierre Antoine Ernest Tardi was a French geophysicist, astronomer, and geographer. From 1946 to 1960, he was the secretary general of the International Association of Geodesy, and editor-in-chief of the Bulletin Géodésique from 1946 to 1951. He also served as president of the Société astronomique de France from 1964 to 1966.
Oscar Sherman Adams was an American mathematician, geodesist, and cartographer who worked for the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1910 to 1944. He was one of the foremost experts on map projections, and was instrumental in the foundation of the North American Datum of 1927 and the State Plane Coordinate System.