SPACE PHOTOMAPS—TRADITIONAL AND SYNTHESIZED

The general similarities and differences of space photographs and maps are compared as a basis for the study of photomaps derived from space photography. Particular attention is devoted to the production of “synthesized space photomaps.” These are computer-generated simulated photomaps based on an algorithm which transforms elevation values within a digital terrain model into brightness values (black-and-white image) or color tones which simulate the natural shading of terrain under different angles and orientations of the sun. Contour lines and other information from terrain models and GIS may be added to such maps as well. Translated from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, Geografiya, 1987, No. 6, pp. 68-74 by Jay Mitchell; PlanEcon, Inc.; Washington, DC 20005.