Moscow, Jun 2 (Itar-Tass) Russia's navigation system GLONASS is more accurate than American GPS, Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) Deputy Director Anatoly Shilov has cliamed."Today the accuracy of GLONASS is 6 metres, and that of GPS is 7 metres," Shilov said at the 5th international forum on satellite navigation yesterday, June 1.He said the accuracy of the Russian navigation system would have to be improved to 2-3 metres in the years to come.In his opinion, this can be done only if the system operates at full capacity with 24 satellites.Russia plans to launch another GLONASS-M satellite in August and another three in September-October from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.GLONASS system will become fully operational by the end of 2011.The previous satellite, launched in late February 26, is designed to operate longer - ten years - and provide more accurate coordinates of down to 1.5 metres.The next launch from Baikonur is scheduled for this summer. "At any rate, the system will become fully operational by the end of 2011, with 24 satellites covering the whole planet," First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said earlier. (Itar-Tass)
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
İzmir, Turkey
acquired May 16, 2011 download large image (837 KB, JPEG)
Located in the western Anatolia region of Turkey, İzmir is the country’s third most populous city and its second largest port (after Istanbul). This astronaut photograph highlights the modern urban landscape of the İzmir metropolitan area. In addition to being a major trade center, greater İzmir is a hub for regional tourism.
The İzmir region has included urban areas for almost 3,500 years, and the ancient core of the city was originally known as Smyrna. Due to its location on the Gulf of İzmir (lower left) and its access to the Aegean Sea, İzmir has been an important Mediterranean Sea port for most of its history.
Today, the metropolitan area includes eleven districts, many of which were independent neighborhoods prior to agglomeration into “greater İzmir.” Densely built residential and commercial districts, characterized by gray to reddish gray rooftops, occupy much of the center of the image. Larger structures with bright white rooftops are indicative of commercial/industrial areas near the port (image left).
Two large sport complexes, the Atatürk Stadium and Şirinyer Hippodrome (horse racing track) are visible at image upper left and image right. Numerous vegetated parks (green) are located throughout the area.
Source: NASA Earth Observatory
The İzmir region has included urban areas for almost 3,500 years, and the ancient core of the city was originally known as Smyrna. Due to its location on the Gulf of İzmir (lower left) and its access to the Aegean Sea, İzmir has been an important Mediterranean Sea port for most of its history.
Today, the metropolitan area includes eleven districts, many of which were independent neighborhoods prior to agglomeration into “greater İzmir.” Densely built residential and commercial districts, characterized by gray to reddish gray rooftops, occupy much of the center of the image. Larger structures with bright white rooftops are indicative of commercial/industrial areas near the port (image left).
Two large sport complexes, the Atatürk Stadium and Şirinyer Hippodrome (horse racing track) are visible at image upper left and image right. Numerous vegetated parks (green) are located throughout the area.
Source: NASA Earth Observatory
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