These specialized fields are intimately interrelated in terms of both the basic science and the results pursued: rigid separation does not allow us to discover several common aspects and the fundamental importance assumed in a search for solutions in the complex survey context. Geo-spatial Information embeds topography in its more modern forms (measurements with electronic instrumentation, sophisticated techniques of data analysis and network compensation, global satellite positioning techniques, laser scanning, etc.), analytical and digital photogrammetry, satellite and airborne remote sensing, numerical cartography, geographical information systems, decision support systems, WebGIS, etc. A more meaningful and appropriate expression is Geospatial Information or GeoInformation. It includes several disciplines and techniques for the study of the Earth’s surface and its environments, and computer science plays a decisive role. Geomatics is a neologism, the use of which is becoming increasingly widespread, even if it is not still universally accepted. Cover illustration: Images by Luca Di Ionno English translation by the Author assisted by Sara de Santis and Andrew Lowe Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (This project is for my sons Ilaria Camilla (Ila) and Jacopo Andrea (Jepus)
2009 No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher, with the exception of any material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. ISBN 978-1-4020-9013-4 e-ISBN 978-1-4020-9014-1 DOI 10.1007/978-1-4020-9014-1 Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg London New York Library of Congress Control Number: 2009926868 This is a translation revised and enlarged of the original work in Italian “Elementi di Geomatica” published by Associazione Italiana di Telerilevamento, © 2004. Gomarasca National Research Council of Italy Institute for the Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment Via Bassini, 15 20133 Milano Italy Gomarasca National Research Council of Italy, Institute for the Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment, Milano, Italy