Satellites need white balance too!

To take accurate images cameras need to be calibrated, and the same goes for satellites that are taking images of the earth to provide us with maps. Recently eight sites have been named as places that satellites can shoot at and use to calibrate their systems to accurately depict the globe as it is, ensuring greater consistency for scientists who are interpreting the data.

This image is of Lake Tuz in Turkey, which dries up in the summer leaving only this white salt behind. This has been named as one of the eight locations that can be used for calibration.

Were do all the rental bikes pedal?

A London cycle hire company has collected data from the first million trips that these bicycles have taken. They have mapped out based on date ranges where these bikes have gone, what time of day they were used, and which paths were used more often.

You can even filter based on a bike ID and see data based on a single bike. To find out more information on this, and play with the data, you can find the link here.

Science Fiction fan?

Well then this map created by Ward Shelley showing the History of Science Fiction will thrill you, even if just a little bit.

Everyone from Asmov, Jules Verne, to of course Tron, Star wars, and RoboCop.They cover Dime novels,The Gothic Novel, Steam Punk and even New Space Opera! Click the Image to see it larger and be in awe!

International Domain Names Map

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ( ICANN) assigns IP addresses, and certain domains to certain countries, such as .jp at the end of an url for a webpage directing to Japan.

Recently ICANN distributed the last of the IPv4 addresses to organizations around the world.

Seemingly as a solution to this they have started creating domains that are in the countries prominent script,and in some cases scripts.

Algeria would be .الجزائر, Georgia would be .გე,Sri Lanka would have .இலங்கை as well as .ලංකා, and the Russian Federation would be .рф to name a few.

The map above, created by John Yunker, shows the new Internationalized domain names for each area, to see larger click here!

Ever try to dig a hole to China while at the beach?

Luis Cipriani has created a site that helps you dig a figurative hole directly across the globe from any point with out all the dirt and work!

From Ann arbor we would end up in Indian Ocean. Where would you end up from your home? Try it here!

Third Thursday!

Mapping Sci
Thursday March 17, 4:00-7:00 pm

Third Thursday at the Map Library, Open House

University of Michigan, Hatcher Graduate Library, Library Gallery, First Floor

Please join us for this special Third Thursday in the Library Gallery. Our theme for March is “Mapping Science” in conjunction with the current Library Gallery exhibit Places & Spaces: Mapping Science, a traveling exhibit created by Dr. Katy Borner of Indiana University. The exhibit was created to demonstrate the power of maps to navigate and manage physical places but also abstract topic spaces. It introduces knowledge mapping techniques to the general public. It is meant to inspire cross-disciplinary discussion on how to best track and communicate human activity and scientific progress on a global scale. Please join us, students, faculty and the public are welcome!

In some cities a map is right at your feet.

While most cities or even countries can not boast of fancy manhole covers, the few that do also can boast to having maps at the feet of their inhabitants.

First off we have this lovely example in Seattle

Next is Anaheim

For the next we have to travel across the globe to Akashi, Japan. This manhole aptly shows that the 135th meridian as it cuts through japan, with Akashi being the "Meridian Town".

Last but surely not least we have another from the city Nemuro, Japan.



Have I missed out on one you know? Post it in a comment!