Irish Scientists Gaining Ground in Earth Observation Race
Irish scientists make infrastructural projects more efficient by contributing information gathered remotely. That’s one of the messages that will be presented at Ireland’s premier gathering of Earth Observation specialists which takes place tomorrow (Thurs) in the offices of the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI).
Earth Observation is a fast-growing area of scientific research and, from a small base just a few short years ago, Ireland is now contributing a range of outstanding research methodologies and projects to global understanding of the dynamics of our Earth. The Third Irish Earth Science Observation Symposium will showcase some of the best contributions by Irish scientists to date.
According to the Symposium’s Technical Director, Michael Sheehy of the GSI, “information being acquired in Ireland is contributing to a global understanding of climate change and how our planet functions. For example, such information is being used to develop strategies for coping with coastal and river flooding, and it is also being applied to indentify areas susceptible to landslides.” He goes on to explain that Earth Observation is primarily delivered via a mechanism of remote sensing, whereby the sensor being used is not in contact (remote) with what it’s recording (sensing). Various applications are involved in Earth Observation – land, sea, air and space – and the technologies used include satellite, ship-based and airborne.
An additional element of importance in Ireland’s Earth Observation story is related by Symposium Manager, Enda Gallagher, also of GSI. “Ireland’s unique geographical position at the edge of continental Europe and the North Atlantic presents interesting challenges in acquiring Earth Observation data, but our scientists have successfully overcome them and in the process have become international leaders” he said.
The Symposium will attract over 80 delegates who, as well as gaining exposure to a wide-ranging programme of talks, will be treated to two different demonstrations by GSI and the Ordnance Survey of Ireland on their work in Earth Observation. As well as that, a keynote speaker is the highly respected Earth Observation expert from the British Geological Survey, Dr. Colm Jordan, himself Irish. The Symposium also reflects the work of the European Space Agency, enabling Ireland to maximise her return on investment into this organisation.
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Further information from:
Koen Verbruggen,
Geological Survey of Ireland
Tel: 087 2042974
E-mail: koen.verbruggen@gsi.ie
Conference Web Pages - http://www.gsi.ie/News/Earth+Observation+Symposium.htm