NDSU Offers Light Detection and Ranging Information Seminar

(Editors: This story reflects a change in location of the seminar and will be available on the Web. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.)

The North Dakota State University Extension Service Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) seminar scheduled for Nov. 6 will be held at the NDSU Research 1 building, Room 148, at 1854 NDSU Research Circle N.. The seminar begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 11. The seminar is free and open to the public.

The seminar will be broadcast live on the Internet using Wimba, a Web conferencing software program. Anyone with Internet access can join the seminar at http://ndivnlc.wimba.com/.

First-time users will need to run the Setup Wizard available on the Wimba site. The Wizard allows users to check their browser settings, Internet connection and hardware configuration to make sure they will be able to participate in the seminar. Participants will need speakers on their computer to hear the presenters and a microphone to ask questions. After successfully running the setup wizard, participants will be ready to join the online seminar.

At the Wimba conference site, click the “participant” tab and then type “NDSU_Ext_Conf” as the room identification (the login is case-sensitive). Type your name and hometown in the “name” location and then click the “enter” tab to display the lobby of the Wimba conferencing site. Finally, click on “NDSU Extension: LIDAR Seminar” to join.

The seminar agenda includes explanations of LIDAR technology and its use, and the availability of LIDAR data for this region.

LIDAR is a form of remote sensing. LIDAR technology uses laser light beams to determine distance by measuring the length of time a laser beam takes to travel to an object and then reflect back. This technology can be used to remotely and accurately measure distances and determine the shape and texture of objects. LIDAR technology is used in a variety of ways, such as atmospheric measurements, ground-based surveys, elevation models, and vegetative and building surveys and assessments.

Several experts are scheduled to speak at the seminar. Chuck Fritz, International Water Institute director, will discuss the Red River Basin Mapping Project’s funding, data collection timetable and reasons for collecting the data.

Karl Heidemann, Center for LIDAR Information Coordination and Knowledge physical scientist, will explain the LIDAR technology and how data is collected, stored and made available to the public.

Suzette R. Burckhard, professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at South Dakota State University, will discuss how she uses LIDAR in her teaching and research. She also has incorporated LIDAR data and remotely sensed imagery and products into geographic information systems-based decision support systems on landslide monitoring.

For more information, contact John Nowatzki at (701) 231- 8213 or e-mail john.nowatzki@ndsu.edu.

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