Academic CentreResearch activities at the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics
The research personnel at the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics (GGI) of the University of Latvia are hard working since the reestablishment of the Institute of Geodesy in 1994. The researchers of the Institute of Geodesy (1924-1944) worked successfully on the research and education in many advanced topics of that time – development and adjustment of National geodetic networks, photogrammetry, studies of vertical Earth movement and research in gravimetric and magnetic measurements. Currently the research areas are developed in satellite geodesy and geoinformatics. The main topic is the development of satellite laser ranging systems (SLR), both the hardware and control software. Two SLR prototypes were developed till 2010 by spending low expenditures. The third most improved model is under development now. All the knowledge and experience of the staff gained since 1975 is applied. Younger colleagues are involved into the development process.
The prototype digital zenith camera for studies of vertical deflection has been developed recently. The test results reach precision of 0.1 arc second which is very promising for the improvement of the quality of the National model of Latvia gravity field modelling. The recent version of the National gravity field developed at the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics has achieved precision of about 2 cm which is much higher than previous model (7-8 cm) used in Latvia. The high precision gravity field model is very important for practice. It gives the possibility to achieve correspondingly high precision of normal height determination using Global Navigation Satellite systems (GNSS) in geodetic measurements.
There has been achieved at the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics the high precision results in studies of vertical and horizontal motion of the Earth in Latvia by carrying out the analysis of the 7 year GNSS observations at the LatPos and EUPOS-RIGA permanent station networks.
There are developed the GIS data base for Latvia and cities of Latvia, developed digital terrain models.
Currently at the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics 2 projects are under development funded by ESF and ERAF correspondingly. Sciex (Swicerland grant) project “REG - Research on Earth Gravity by zenith cameras” started just month ago. The Institute is an associated partner of FOTONIKA-LV and EU FP7 REGPOT-2011-1 project "Unlocking and Boosting Research Potential for Photonics in Latvia – Towards Effective Integration in the European Research Area ". The Institute is taking part in several International co-operation projects.
Five PhD thesis were defended and Dr degrees were gained by the personnel in four years 2010-2013. Three of them has been supervised by professor J.Balodis (GGI). There are 9 doctors of science and 2 doctoral students among the researchers in GGI now.