Geographical Sources Lab

Transcription

1 HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY ILS Fall 2010 Dr. Clara Ogbaa Geographical Sources Lab Lucinda D. Mazza 11/13/2010

2 GEOGRAPHICAL SOURCES LAB 2 Geographical Sources Lab The purpose of this assignment is to evaluate one atlas and one gazetteer identifying the differences between them. The two resources I have chosen are Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary and Atlas of the Universe by Patrick Moore. Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary At first glance one might not pick the Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary as a gazetteer, but as you review the definition of a gazetteer it becomes clear. Cassell defines gazetteers as "text-based sources of information about geographic places and features. They are arranged alphabetically and describe as concisely and precisely as possible where, for example, a particular town or mountain range is located and other pertinent facts about it" (2009, p. 214). The Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary is an alphabetical listing of places of the world. Information provided includes the definition and pronunciation, nickname, state flower, motto, rivers, mountains, chief products, chief cities political divisions and a brief history. This is all provided in text format followed by a map of the specific place. Generally there is only one map except when a place has a heavily populated area, like the state of California and a smaller map is set in, focusing on just that specific area provided more detail. The maps in Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary are not in color, but black, white and grey tones. For each map there is a scale showing the "ratio of the distance on the map to the actual distance on the face of the Earth" (Bopp, 2001, p. 462). When comparing

3 GEOGRAPHICAL SOURCES LAB 3 various states within the United States each map was on its own page with different scales, which can be misleading. Bopp states "Quality atlases make an attempt to map nations and states at similar scales. An inferior atlas may show each U.S. State on its own page, which leads the user to believe that all states are "page-size" (2001, p.462). However, when evaluating a gazetteer, the emphasis is on the textual content and not as much on the maps. Each map included major cities, counties, rivers, lakes, mountains with elevations, and some noteworthy places. In general the individual state maps were not too cluttered, but the map of the United States was very cluttered. A magnifying glass or ability to zoom in to see the detail is necessary. There was a key for each map that provided the symbols used for State Capitals, County Seats, State borders, country borders, etc. The Dictionary also provides a chapter on Map Projections, discussing the distortions when spherical surfaces are laid flat. Not only does it describe in great detail how these projections are defined and determined, it also discusses how it relates to the maps in the Dictionary. A glossary of geographic terms is provided as well as two lists of geographical terms from other countries. "List I is a single alphabetical list of foreign-language terms showing their equivalents in English; list II groups terms in different languages under the alphabetical listing of their equivalents in English" (Merriam Webster's Geographical Dictionary, 2007). Atlas of the Universe The Atlas of the Universe by Patrick Moore is a good example of a thematic atlas. Cassell states that "thematic atlases are characterized by photos, drawings, graphs, charts, and

4 GEOGRAPHICAL SOURCES LAB 4 maps" (2009, p. 220). The goal for this resource is mapping the universe as it pertains to those of us on Earth. The Atlas is divided into 7 major components, Exploring the Universe, the Solar System, the Sun, the Stars, the Universe, the Star Maps, and the Practical Astronomer. The first section, "Exploring the Universe" provides an overview of how we have explored the universe through the last century and the technological advancements that have continued to enhance our search. Specifically the atlas provides a brief history of astronomy and then discusses each of the major vehicles of exploration, such as telescopes and their evolution, space craft, satellites, manned space travel, and the Hubble space telescope. The chapters on the Solar System, Sun, Stars, Universe, and Star Maps, focus on providing photos, graphs, charts and maps pertaining to the specific topic at hand. For example when looking at "The Moon: First Quadrant (Northeast)", there is text in the beginning discussing the location, a list of craters with a definition for each of them, a chart with a list of the craters showing their diameter and location in longitude and latitude and a map. This chart helps identify where the craters are on the map showing the northeast quadrant of the Moon. The map is not exceptionally clear, but with the chart, one can find approximate locations. It is important to remember that this source is dealing with photos taken thousands if not millions of miles away from earth, so the clarity is not as precise as photos taken on the earth. The Atlas of the Universe uses a combination of black and white and some color images. The author has tried to keep the images true to form since color added to pictures from telescopes is done for scientific purposes. Symbols are used effectively when needed, providing good communication tools for very unique images.

5 GEOGRAPHICAL SOURCES LAB 5 Authoritatively, the photo credits in the Atlas of the Universe come from very credible resources, such as NASA, Johnson Space Center, MIT, Hubble Heritage Team and the US Geological Survey to name but a few. Differences: Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary and Atlas of the Universe From one perspective these two resources are quite similar; they both provide a great deal of text pertaining to their subject matters. In general an atlas is "a collection of maps with some unifying theme" (Cassell, 2009, p. 215) with the emphasis on maps. However, the thematic atlas provides much more textual information pertaining to the maps provided. When comparing the maps, the Atlas of the Universe stands above the Merriam- Webster's Geographical Dictionary. The Atlas not only has maps but photographs of the Universe, most in black in white or natural color and some in color. The Atlas also includes more charts and graphs, many in color providing dramatic results. The Dictionary's first priority is on textual content and accuracy, and then they provide a map that supports the text. The Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary is designed as a ready reference tool that can answer a general geography question. In contrast the Atlas of the Universe is designed to provide information specific to the theme at hand, in this case the Universe. More detail and content is provided. From an authoritative perspective, Merriam Webster is a very reputable publisher; however they are not specialists in cartography. Their maps come from the Encyclopedia Britannica, which again is a trusted source but not in cartography circles. The textual content I would trust as authoritative.

6 GEOGRAPHICAL SOURCES LAB 6 In contrast the Atlas of the Universe has credits from very reliable resources, from all over the world, in the field of astronomy. This applies to photos, charts and maps. Sir Patrick Moore is an accomplished astronomer, "He is credited with discovering, through observation, the Mare Orientale or Eastern Sea" (Moore, 2010) on the Moon. Both resources were enjoyable to use, but I found the Atlas to the Universe full of fascinating pictures and facts.

7 GEOGRAPHICAL SOURCES LAB 7 References Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary. (2007). (3rd. ed.). Retrieved from Moore, P. (n.d.). Biography. In Sirpatrickmoore.com the Official site of the UK's Favourite Astronomer. Retrieved from Moore, P. (2003). Atlas of the Universe. Retrieved from