Meaning of geodesy (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Geodesy:

As geodesy is called the science whose object determine the shape and dimensions of the globe. The word, as such, comes from the Greek γεωδαισία (geodaisía), which means 'division of the land'.

As such, it is a scientific discipline that deals with the representation of the Earth, its shape and its surface; as well as aspects such as the determination of the external gravitational field, the surface of the ocean floor, and the orientation and position of the Earth in space.

Among other applications, geodesy is essential to determine the position of a point on the Earth's surface using the coordinates (latitude, longitude, height), which are in turn those used to plot the cartography of, for example, a country.

Thus, geodesy is the science that provides, thanks to its measurements and calculations, the data that serve as a reference for disciplines such as topography, photogrammetry, cartography, civil engineering, navigation, geographic information systems, among others..

See also:

• TopographyCartography

In Mathematics, on the other hand, geodesy is applied for measurement and calculation on curved surfaces.

The term was originally used by Aristotle to refer to the study of the distribution of the Earth in zones.

Upper and lower geodesy

Geodesy, as a study discipline, is divided into two main areas: superior geodesy, which is theoretical geodesy, which deals with determining and representing the figure of the Earth in global terms, and within which other branches, such as physical geodesy and mathematical geodesy; and the lower geodesy, also called practical geodesy or topography, which is in charge of making representations of smaller parts of the Earth.

Geometric geodesy

As geometric geodetic called geodetic portion that is responsible for determining the shape and dimensions of the globe from a geometrical point of view. In this sense, it is capable of determining the coordinates of the points on the Earth's surface.