Many organizations use geodesy to map the U.S. coastline, determine land boundaries, and improve traffic and navigation safety. To measure points on the Earth's surface, geodesists assign coordinates to points on the Earth, similar to unique addresses.
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host: This is the NOAA Ocean Podcast, and I'm Marissa Anderson. You may not be familiar with NOAA's National Geodetic Survey (NGS), but its important work in geodesy impacts many aspects of our lives every day. Our guest on this episode is NGS Director Juliana Blackwell. Juliana gives us her inside perspective on the National Geodetic and Survey Bureau, from the organization's mission and its history, the role of geodesy in everyday life, and her pioneering career as the first female director. I'll give it to you. Let's get into the discussion right away…
Blackwell: The National Geodetic Survey is one of the oldest of the federal government's hidden scientific gems, and one of NOAA's oldest and most hidden scientific gems, allowing us to see exactly what's possible, including hidden treasures. It is also an office.
The mission of NOAA's National Geodetic Survey is to provide the nation with the most accurate spatial reference system possible, a fundamental framework for determining the exact location of everything. Consider “latitude, longitude, and altitude” and how important precise location is in daily life. Accurate and precise positioning frameworks provide coordinates, or starting points, for projects and activities around us, such as building transportation systems. Building infrastructure. Land and sea surveying. Floodplain mapping. Navigating and operating cars, ships, planes, unmanned vehicles, and connecting all kinds of geospatial information and data used in everyday life.
host: Can you explain what geodesy is from a 30,000-foot perspective? Some of our listeners may be unfamiliar with the term. And why is geodesy important?
Julianna Blackwell, NOAA National Geodetic Survey Director.
Blackwell: The Earth is not a perfect sphere and is constantly changing. Geodesy is the science of measuring the size and shape of the Earth, its orientation as a planet in space, and how the Earth's position, size, and shape change over time. In addition to sudden changes in the Earth's crust, such as earthquakes, there are also less obvious processes that change the shape of the Earth and the position of things on it, such as land subsidence and tectonic movements.
host: Thank you for explaining that definition. Geodesy is extremely widespread and influential. People often use it every day without realizing it. Can you give some examples where it is part of our daily life?
Blackwell: Let's start with GPS. Global Positioning System technology is embedded in smartphones, watches, cars, tractors, construction vehicles, and more. But how does a GPS device know its location in relation to its surroundings? GPS refers to a common geodetic framework to determine the exact location of roads, buildings, and surrounding obstacles. This enables secure navigation and location information.
Geodesy makes that possible. Gravity is another element of geodesy and an important part of our daily life. Gravity pulls objects toward the center of the Earth. Did you know that gravity is not the same everywhere? It changes as a result of the Earth's mass, density, and rotation. Geodesists measure variations in Earth's gravitational field to determine precise heights and elevations. Accurate gravity and elevation information is important for determining where water will flow and determining flood risk.
host: It is very interesting to note the differences in the Earth's gravitational field and how the work of geodesists helps provide us with safe navigation and transportation. Now I'd like to switch gears and get into the history of NGS and talk about you and your career.
The National Geodetic Survey was established by President Thomas Jefferson in 1807 as the Coast Survey. How has the science of NGS and geodesy evolved over the years?
Blackwell: For more than 200 years, NGS has utilized state-of-the-art equipment and advanced surveying techniques to survey coastlines, create nautical charts, expand and update the nation's geodetic network, map the nation's air routes, and improve the geodetic network. I've been doing some maintenance. The science of geodesy. Human line-of-sight measurements are being replaced by space satellite systems used for positioning and imaging on Earth. The science of geodesy is now a truly global endeavor. GPS and other satellite observations have revolutionized the measurement and understanding of the Earth's size, shape, and ever-changing nature. Looking back at those early surveys, we are amazed at the accuracy of that network and credit the dedicated professionals who were NGS's first geodesists.
host: You are the longest-serving director of the National Geodetic and Survey Department and the first female director. Why did you decide to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)?
Blackwell: I love numbers! Mathematics has always been my favorite and the best subject in school. In high school and college, I focused on math and science classes. In college, I studied physical science and majored in mathematics. However, it wasn't until I joined NOAA that I learned about geodesy, a perfect combination of mathematics and science. My first job at NGS was a field assignment conducting geodetic surveys and learning the basics. After discovering NGS, I knew this was the right place for me.
host: What was it like to serve as a female scientist and leader at NOAA, and how do you feel you can make an impact within the organization in this unique position?
Blackwell: When I first joined NGS, I was the only female investigator. It was a very positive experience. Some of the colleagues I worked with in the field are still with NGS. Although I never consider myself a surveyor, I feel that learning the basics of geodetic surveying and data processing has helped me position myself as a manager and leader.
host: Looking back on your time at NGS, is there a special accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Blackwell: Organizationally, I am most proud of NGS employees and their dedication and professionalism in supporting NGS's mission and our nation. Geodesically speaking, I am most proud of the accomplishments of the NGS gravity program and its impact on improving access to accurate GPS altitude for every state and territory in the United States.
Before the use of GPS for geodetic surveying, accessing accurate elevations and heights was labor-intensive and difficult, especially depending on the terrain. GPS has improved the ability to determine the height of survey marks. However, GPS itself does not provide survey or geodetic quality altitude information. Measuring land height, or elevation, with centimeter precision required a complete image, or survey, of the U.S. gravity field. The recently completed Aircraft Gravity Survey GRAV-D provides the basis for an improved model for measuring altitude using GPS everywhere.
host: We know that completing the gravity survey is a major accomplishment. Listeners are encouraged to read the program notes, which include a link to a feature article about this project on his National Ocean Service website. I hear you've been an advocate of mentoring for many years. Who is his NOAA leader or scientist who inspires you and why?
Blackwell: I have been fortunate to work with many wonderful people throughout my career. He is one of two special people who inspired me during my time at NOAA. I consider him one as a professional mentor and one as a personal mentor. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today. My professional mentor at NGS was my predecessor, Dave Zirkoski. Dave challenged me with challenges that were outside of my comfort zone, including public speaking, developing new programs, and pursuing a higher education degree. Through his guidance and support, I developed my skills, expertise, professional network, and most importantly, my confidence.
My personal mentor is my husband, John. John, a retired NOAA Corps officer, has mentored and supported me both professionally and privately throughout my career at NOAA. He helped me meet challenges, build resilience, and grow into a leadership role.
Whether formal or informal, long-term or temporary, mentoring gives employees the opportunity to find their niche within an organization, build strategic relationships, and gain a broader perspective on the organization's mission and future. Offers.
host: I loved hearing about your mentors and the impact they had on you both professionally and personally. Since we were just talking about careers, I'd like to go back to the field of geodesy and those who may be interested in following in your footsteps. So why is geodesy an interesting field to pursue? What would you say to those considering this as a career path?
Blackwell: Geodesy is for anyone interested in applying technology, mathematics, and science to understand our changing Earth. As we continue to advance unmanned transportation systems (land, sea, and air), mitigate the effects of climate change, and expand Earth observation with satellite systems, we will need to expand our workforce across all geospatial disciplines. Especially geodesy!
host: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to join our podcast. Want to leave your listeners with some parting words?
Blackwell: Finally, I am grateful to have worked with so many wonderful and talented people throughout my career at NOAA. It is an honor to serve as head of the nation's oldest federal science agency. To his next 200 years, NGS!
host: This is the NOAA Ocean Podcast. To learn more about the exciting field of geodesy and the important work of NOAA's National Geodetic Survey, check out the show notes. Don't forget to subscribe in your favorite podcast player so you never miss an episode.
