The Ellipsoid Crosses Here: Geodetic Plaque Unveiling at UNB’s Head Hall

The University of New Brunswick Department of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering held a ceremony on Tuesday, 20 June 2017, to unveil a new plaque marking the location of the international geodetic reference ellipsoid. The plaque is affixed to the north-east wall of Head Hall, the UNB engineering building, adjacent to the A-level parking lot.

The plaque serves as a visual representation of an important mathematical surface used in positioning and navigation and welcomes visitors, students, faculty, and staff to the building.

The ellipsoid is associated with the Geodetic Reference System 1980 and positions determined using GPS, for example, are initially referenced to such an ellipsoid before the height is converted to a height above mean sea level. At Head Hall, the ellipsoid is about 22 metres above mean sea level.

After unveiling the plaque, department chair Dr. Marcelo Santos said a few words about the department’s history and the importance and meaning of the plaque and associated geodetic marker.

Dr. Marcelo Santos & Students: Photos: Rob Blanchard, 2017-June-20

Photos: Rob Blanchard, 2017-June-20