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SIRGAS

Archives 2025

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We are pleased to welcome a new contributing member!

According to the SIRGAS 2020 Statute – Art. 6, collaborating members may be those States, agencies, institutions, or individuals who formally express their willingness to contribute scientifically, technically, or financially to the development of SIRGAS projects.

In this context, we are honored to announce that Chile’s Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) has officially joined SIRGAS as a collaborating member.

🤝 Its incorporation strengthens the joint work in the construction of reference frameworks and geodynamic and atmospheric monitoring in the region.

Welcome, IDE Chile! 🌍✨

IDE Chile
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Turn Science into Smiles – Join the #GeodesyCartoon Competition!

#Geodesy is all about measuring the Earth — but what if we could make that exciting, fun, and easy for everyone to understand? The #GeodesyCartoonCompetition invites scientists, students, educators, and artists to turn geodetic science into humorous and eye-catching cartoons!
🧠 Whether you’re a researcher or just someone with a clever idea and a love for drawing — this is your chance to inspire others and showcase the fascinating world of geodesy.
🎯 Why take part? Because science communication matters! Help people everywhere understand why geodesy is essential — from climate monitoring and navigation to disaster management.
What’s in it for you?
🏆 Win up to 900€ in prizes,
🎟️ Get a reserved spot at the IAG Geodesy Reception 2026 (EGU, Vienna)
🌐 Be featured across the global geodesy community
🧾 Receive a free IAG Membership
🖍️ All styles welcome – digital or hand-drawn
💡 All you need is a clear, creative idea that makes geodesy fun and memorable.
Let’s make geodesy visible, understandable, and unforgettable – one cartoon at a time.
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🗞️ GEOM@IL Newsletter No. 42 – Now available🌍

The new edition of GEOM@IL Newsletter No. 42 presents a selection of valuable content for the geoscience community, highlighting the role of artificial intelligence, continuing education, and advances in geodetic infrastructure in the region.

In this issue, you will find:

🔹 Artificial intelligence and geosciences:

Two articles address the impact and potential of AI in geodetic data analysis and geodynamic modeling.

🔹 Exclusive interview:
Dr. Benedikt Soja, coordinator of the GGOS AI group, reflects on the challenges, opportunities, and applications of AI in global geodesy.

🔹 Education and training
Review of the most recent SIRGAS Virtual School, focusing on the terrestrial reference frame and geodynamic and atmospheric monitoring.

🔹 Geodetic infrastructure in Latin America:
Article by Sandra Bolaños that analyzes the current state, challenges, and prospects of geodetic infrastructure in the region.

🔹 Besides…
Institutional news, Working Group activities, recommended publications, and other useful resources for the community.

📥 Access the full newsletter here 👉 Download GEOM@IL 42 (PDF)

GEOm@il 42

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New Geoidal/Quasi-Geoidal Model for South America.

High-resolution regional gravity field modeling to connect the local vertical systems in South America to the IHRF. Gabriel Guimarães, Ana Cristina Matos, Denizar Blitzkow, and Flavio Almeida. -Published: 

Earth Planets Space https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623-025-02226-5

The geoidal and quasi-geoidal models for South America can be downloaded from the International Service for Geoidal Models website.

news , Welcome to our Events section

Advanced Space Geodesy Data Processing with BSW 5.4: GNSS Techniques and Nonlinear Models

The SIRGAS course “Advanced Spatial Geodesy Data Processing with BSW 5.4: GNSS Techniques and Nonlinear Models” will be held from July 14 to 18, 2025.

It will take place at the University of Costa Rica, in San José, Costa Rica. The course will be in person and taught exclusively in Spanish.

A five-day course for advanced professionals, young scientists and national agency staff, covering the fundamental topics of SIRGAS campaign processing with BSW 5.4 and nonlinear models, kinematic reference frames.

Registration Here

Deadline for registration: June 15, 2025.

Location:

School of Topographic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Costa Rica,

https://maps.app.goo.gl/JHryb9oJZrsZDVUw6 

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New scientific publication

We are pleased to share the recent publication by Mariana Inoue and Gabriel Guimarães (2025), entitled:
“Development and Evolution of Height Systems in the Context of SIRGAS: From Local Vertical Data to the International Height Reference Framework,” in the Journal of Geodetic Science.

Este artigo aborda a transição dos sistemas de referência verticais locais para a integração com a estrutura internacional fornecida pelo SIRGAS, destacando avanços metodológicos, desafios técnicos e a importância da unificação regional para aplicações geodésicas de alta precisão.

📅 Publication date: May 12, 2025.

📄 PDF (English): “Development and evolution of height systems in the context of SIRGAS: From the local vertical data to the International height reference frame”

🔗Article access: Read online

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IGAC presents results of potential calculations for the IHRF MEDE station

Personnel from the Agustín Codazzi Geographic Institute (IGAC) presented the results of calculations of potential values ​​for the IHRF MEDE station, located in Medellín.

This information was expressed during a meeting with the president of the Working Group III (GT-III) – Gabriel do Nascimento Guimarães, as part of regional efforts aimed at establishing a unified vertical reference framework for the American continent.

Furthermore, the IGAC staff shared the preliminary results of a geoid model developed for the region of the MEDE station, which constitutes a significant advance in improving the geodesic and altimetric precision of the country and the region.

These works reflect IGAC’s commitment to international geodesic integration and strengthening of spatial data infrastructure in Colombia.

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SIRGAS Working Group 1 (WG1) Meeting: Change of Network Coordinator

An important coordination meeting of SIRGAS Working Group 1 (WG1) was held on May 12th, where the changeover in Network Coordination was formalized. During the meeting, Alberto Luis Da Silva, the outgoing coordinator, presented a detailed technical report on the activities carried out during his tenure. From SIRGAS, we express our sincere gratitude for his dedication, commitment, and valuable contribution to strengthening our geodetic infrastructure. We wish him every success in his future endeavors. In her place, Claudia Cristina Cunha Santos da Silva, nominated by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), was introduced as the new coordinator. We warmly welcome Claudia, confident that her experience and leadership will be key to continuing to advance the objectives of WG1 and the development of regional geodetic networks. We extend special thanks to IBGE, represented by Maira Kronemberg, Brazil’s national delegate to SIRGAS, as well as to the entire Geodesy team at the Institute, for their ongoing support and commitment to the program.
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Jamaica joins the Geodetic Reference System for the Americas (SIRGAS)

We are pleased to announce the incorporation of Jamaica as a new member of the Geodetic Reference System for the Americas (SIRGAS). This important addition represents a significant step toward strengthening technical and scientific cooperation among Latin American and Caribbean countries in the field of geodesy.

Jamaica’s participation will substantially contribute to improving the accuracy and consistency of the geodetic reference frames used throughout the region, thus promoting a more robust and reliable geospatial infrastructure.

At SIRGAS, we celebrate this integration and extend a warm welcome to Jamaica, firmly convinced that working together will contribute to capacity building, knowledge sharing, and the consolidation of a robust geodetic infrastructure on our continent.

Welcome, Jamaica, to the SIRGAS family!

news , Welcome to our Events section

XVI SIRGAS School “VLBI and SLR Data Processing”

The XVI SIRGAS School will be held in the beautiful city of San Juan, Argentina, with the aim of training professionals in the field of geodesy through the processing of VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry) and SLR (Satellite Laser Ranging) data, key techniques for the definition of global reference frames.

🗓️ Dates: From Monday, October 27 to Saturday, November 1, 2025

📍 Location: San Juan, Argentina.

🎯 Course Objective:

The purpose of this course is to provide the theoretical concepts and practical tools necessary for the analysis and processing of VLBI and SLR techniques, delving into their application in the definition and maintenance of geodetic reference frames.

👥Addressed to:

    • Graduates in geodesy and related fields
    • Scientists specializing in geodesy
    • Employees of national mapping agencies
    • Students interested in geodesy and space technology

Allocation of Places for the XVI SIRGAS School

The SIRGAS Executive Committee will have 10 special spots, which will be assigned among the 50 participants selected to attend the UN-GGCE Workshop.

These positions will be assigned based on academic profile, professional experience, and commitment to strengthening geodesy in the region.

👉 Registration Form – XVI SIRGAS School

Registration deadline for the XVI SIRGAS School: Friday, May 9, 2025

📌 Registration:

Those interested must complete the Registration Form to confirm their participation. Registration is also required for the UN-GGCE Workshop: Capacity Building in Geodesy, in Santiago, Chile.

👉Registration – UN-GGCE Workshop

UN-GGCE Workshop registration deadline: Tuesday, April 29, 2025