Proposed List of Activities: 1999-2003
1. Expand the World Wide Web site that was begun during the past term. The
web page (http://airandspace.si.edu/research/ceps/ica/) currently contains
only basic materials about the Working Group and its goals. We intend to
expand it to include links to web-based materials utilizing planetary cartographic
products, which now exist in various forms in several nations. We also hope
to make the Web site a place to share ideas, problems, and solutions related
to the widest possible dissemination of planetary information.
2. Continue to collect information on the global status of planetary cartographic
products and plans. This effort was begun during the last term in the form
of an e-mail and regular mail survey which produced interesting but limited
responses. We will investigate additional ways in which to compile information
about planetary cartographic holdings and uses throughout the world, the
results of which will eventually be made readily available over the Working
Group Web site.
3. Production of a multi-lingual series of planetary maps. This work was
begun last term with the development of a basic map of the physiography
of Mars with accompanying text in English, Russian, German, French, and
Spanish. We would like to eventually include Asiatic languages as well.
After preliminary assessments of the strengths and weaknesses of the Mars
map, we intend to pursue subsequent multilingual maps of other planetary
objects. It is our hope that these products will prove useful in disseminating
planetary information to nations and cultures that may, at present, not
have ready access to such information.
4. Expand liaison between the ICA, through the Working Group, and various
national or international space-related groups. This effort was begun during
the last term, but we recognize that many important agencies have not yet
been contacted. We intend to identify persons who can serve as points of
contact for inquiries about the activities or products available through
the various agencies.
5. Schedule at least one meeting per year where the Working Group members
can discuss issues face to face. In spite of the wonders of electronic information
technology, it is still important to schedule regular times where we can
meet and discuss issues in person. We will utilize the biannual ICA meetings
as opportunities for the Working Group to meet, with at least one meeting
annually during the intervening years at an institution of the various group
members.
6. Expansion of a multilingual glossary of terms used in planetary cartography.
This effort was begun during the last term, but the number of terms and
languages is not yet representative of the need. The goal is to document
terms that have different uses in various national programs, which can at
times lead to confusion in the intended use of some products. One example
is ‘hypometric’ in Russian is equivalent to ‘topographic’ in English and
German usage. We believe that such a glossary could be helpful to a wide
range of potential users of planetary cartographic materials.
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