Spatia 2025

Director's Note

DR. R. VIDHYA

PROFESSOR & DIRECTOR

INSTITUTE OF REMOTE SENSING

The Engineers (SGE), established in 2004, has steadily evolved innovation, learning, and exposure in the dynamic the introduction of new policies such as the various national programmes, geospatial technologies significantly greater role in shaping the nation's development and decision-making processes. This year’s edition of GeoHorizon’25  opens new avenues for aspiring Geoinformatics Engineers to deepen their knowledge, refine their skills, connect with experts, and continue the legacy of excellence that SGE proudly upholds. SPATIA’25 builds on the success and learnings of previous editions, incorporating emerging technologies and fresh perspectives in Remote Sensing and GIS. Enriched by contributions from both current students and the vibrant alumni community, this edition presents a well-rounded view of the discipline —highlighting the importance of integrating theoretical understanding with practical applications to address real-world challenges.

As the Professor and Director of the Institute of Remote Sensing (IRS), Anna University, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Geoinformatics student community for their relentless efforts in bringing this edition to life. With the legacy of being the first-ever geospatial academic programme in the country  B.E. Geoinformatics  the students of this institution represent one of the most well-trained and versatile geospatial talent pools. I also sincerely thank the dedicated faculty of IRS for their unwavering support and mentorship throughout this journey. Learning is an endless pursuit, and it is the passion within us that fuels the drive toward achieving greater goals. I encourage every student to dream big, work with dedication, and face challenges with confidence, as we strive together to transform our hard work into meaningful contributions for the betterment of society.

President's Note

DR. C. UDHAYAKUMAR

PROFESSOR & PRESIDENT

INSTITUTE OF REMOTE SENSING

ent of the Society of Geoinformatics Engineers (SGE)for the period 2024-2025. Leading such a talented group of students is truly a privilege, and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead.

GeoHorizon'25 is set to be another exciting edition, featuring a blend of workshops, technical sessions, and competitions aimed at enhancing students’ skills and knowledge in Geoinformatics. We hope to further inspire innovation in fields like GIS, Remote Sensing, and Spatial Data Analysis.

Our annual magazine, SPATIA, remains a cornerstone of our society. This year’s edition will offer fresh insights, with articles on the latest trends in Geoinformatics, career pathways, and contributions from alumni. It’s an excellent opportunity to see how our field is shaping industries and solving complex, real-world challenges.

The unwavering dedication of our students and faculty at the Institute of Remote Sensing (IRS) continues to drive our success. With their hard work, I am confident that GeoHorizon’25 and SPATIA’25 will not only educate but also inspire future generations of Geoinformatics professionals. Together, let us continue to explore new frontiers in Geoinformatics, leveraging technology to solve complex global challenges. With our collective passion, creativity, and determination, I am confident that we will drive meaningful change in the field and leave a lasting impact on society. Let this year be one of growth, discovery, and shared success as we work towards a brighter future in Geoinformatics.

Treasurer's Note

DR. B. DIVYA PRIYA

ASST. PROFESSOR & TREASURER

INSTITUTE OF REMOTE SENSING

at I extend my warmest greetings to the readers continues to illuminate the diverse and evolving n serves as a testament to the creative energy, irit that define our community at the Institute of

eoinformatics Engineers (SGE), I am honoured to annual inter-college symposium at the national level. This landmark event brings together bright minds from across the country, fostering dialogue, innovation, and interdisciplinary exchange in the field of geospatial science. The theme for this year—“Pixel to Policy”—captures the essence of our mission: to bridge technical precision with impactful governance and decision-making. It reflects the growing need to translate remote sensing data and geospatial intelligence into meaningful strategies that shape our built and natural environments.

This year also marks a special occasion as we proudly celebrate National Survey Day, paying tribute to the foundational discipline that continues to support national development and scientific progress. Through workshops, exhibitions, and interactive sessions, we aim to deepen awareness of the crucial role that surveying plays in modern geomatics.

SPATIA continues to serve as a vibrant platform for scholarly reflection and creative expression. The current edition spans a broad spectrum of topics—ranging from cutting-edge applications in remote sensing and GIS to thoughtful explorations of their social and environmental implications. It showcases the work of students, researchers, and practitioners who are shaping the future of geoinformatics through knowledge, innovation, and empathy.

At SGE, we are committed to nurturing talent, promoting interdisciplinary learning, and creating pathways for our students to thrive as skilled geomatics professionals. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the editorial team, contributors, and all those who have supported the making of this magazine.

As you turn these pages, may you find inspiration, insight, and a renewed sense of purpose in the remarkable potential of geospatial science.

ABOUT IIRS IRS RS

Anna University blossomed to its present status from a humble beginning in 1978, as the first ‘Survey School’ in the country to produce land surveyors. The Institute of Remote Sensing (IRS) was established in 1982 by Anna University with the funds provided by the Government of Tamil Nadu. IRS is the State Remote Sensing Application Centre for the Government of Tamil Nadu. From its establishment back in 1982 to recent times, the infrastructural facilities at IRS have seen outstanding developments primarily through development grants received mainly from Ministry of Human Resources Development, University Grants Commission, Federal Republic of Germany, Government of India and Department of Agriculture of Government of Tamil Nadu. IRS, Anna University, Chennai, is one of the best of its kind in providing quality education, exposure and facilities in the fields of Remote Sensing, GIS and Large- Scale Mapping. It is one of the very few institutes in India providing undergraduate B.E. degree in Geoinformatics, along with postgraduate and PhD programmes too. IRS has been transferring Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Technology to Government Departments and various users through Pilot Projects/ Operational Projects.

The Institute functions as an autonomous unit of Anna University, governed by an executive committee headed by the Vice-Chancellor and the recurring grants for maintenance are provided by the Government of Tamil Nadu. As an externally assisted project, Federal Republic of Germany has provided assistance worth 7 million DM towards equipment, exchange of staff and for conducting a 4- year engineering Under-Graduate program, B.E. (Geoinformatics). The Royal Norwegian emphasis as a part of Indo Norwegian Institutional Cooperation Programme has supported the institute to a tune of 1.1 crores for selected research projects and infrastructure development. IRS is also a member of UNGGIM Network (The United Nations initiative on Global Geospatial Information Management). The Institute has always aimed at producing skilful Geomatics Engineers, capable of operating in the industry as well as continuing research. With a versatile and diverse set of alumni, IRS stands as the finest hub of Geoinformatics in the country, with notable recognition across globe

ABOUT SSGE SGE GE

The Institute of Remote Sensing (IRS), Anna University, is dedicated to advancing the fields of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), with a strong focus on solving real-world challenges. A key component that supports the institute’s visionary mission is the Society of Geoinformatics Engineers (SGE). Established in 2004, SGE represents the face of IRS, bringing together a vibrant community of students, professors, faculty members, and alumni. The society is committed to fostering awareness about the importance of Geoinformatics and providing students with comprehensive exposure to its applications. Adopting a holistic approach, SGE emphasizes not only academic learning in Remote Sensing and GIS but also encourages students to apply their skills in practical and impactful ways.

SGE highlights the significance of Geoinformatics through a wide range of activities including workshops, technical events, annual symposiums, and the society’s annual magazine – SPATIA. Each year, SGE organizes two flagship symposiums:

GEOHORIZON – A National Level Technical Symposium

CELESTIA – An Intra-college Symposium

These events feature an array of technical and non-technical activities, such as paper and poster presentations, programming contests, coding challenges, and expert-led workshops, offering students hands-on experience and industry insights.

SPATIA, the annual magazine of SGE, is published during the GEOHORIZON symposium. It encompasses a wide spectrum of Geoinformatics topics and showcases the collaborative efforts of the student community. The magazine features student articles, an annual newsletter, alumni messages, and more, offering readers a comprehensive view of advancements and opportunities in Remote Sensing and GIS. In addition, SGE actively participates in World Space Week, hosting events and interactive sessions to promote awareness and engagement in spacerelated technologies.

Through the collaborative efforts of its members, SGE continues to play a pivotal role in advancing Geoinformatics research and application, positioning itself at the heart of innovation within the field.

SHORTEST ROUTE OPTIMIZATION FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES USING GEOAI

BHARATHI A (UG 4 Year) TH

In emergency situations, time is a critical factor that determines the difference between life and death. Ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles must reach their destinations as quickly as possible to provide immediate assistance. Unfortunately, urban traffic jams, roadblocks, and ever-changing conditions can slow them down, leading to serious consequences. Finding the quickest and most efficient route can help cut down response times, save lives, and make better use of resources. Traditional GPS navigation systems often miss the mark when it comes to real-time traffic updates, road closures, and weather changes. That’s where a smarter system is required that helps in real-time data and predictive analysis.

GeoAI, or Geospatial Artificial Intelligence, is an innovative technology that fuses AI with GIS. The data sources for GeoAI models include remote sensing, IoT sensors, GPS, and live traffic updates. Machine learning can forecast traffic jams, identify accident-prone areas, and predict roadblocks before they happen. At the same time, deep learning techniques can scrutinize satellite images, CCTV footage, and drone data to detect sudden changes on the roads. Moreover, cloud-based AI platforms can gather information from navigation apps, vehicle tracking systems, and weather APIs to enhance decision-making. By utilizing these technologies, emergency vehicles can receive real-time route suggestions

Though GeoAI offers a lot of benefits for optimizing emergency routes, there are also some hurdles to overcome. One major issue is the need for real-time data that is both available and accurate; relying on outdated information can lead to poor route recommendations. Additionally, merging various data sources demands significant computational power and effective data processing methods. Traffic prediction models can also be limited by unforeseen natural events, which are often hard to predict. To tackle these challenges, a better AI models are required. This can be achieved by improving data collection methods, and foster collaboration with government entities. Although GeoAI has its limitations, when applied correctly, it can identify anomalies, streamline routes, and forecast future traffic jams.

In conclusion, using GeoAI to find the shortest routes for emergency vehicles is a ground-breaking way to improve emergency response efficiency. With the use of adaptive algorithms, AI-driven predictions, and real-time traffic data, this technology has the potential to significantly speed up reaction times and save lives.

ASSESSMENT OF URBAN WASTELANDS USING GIS AND IOT AS TOOLS FOR SPATIAL DATA ANALYSIS

krithika v (ug 3 Year) rd

Large urban development around cities often results in vacant, abandoned, or unproductive land parcels called wastelands. The traditional way of data collection to study and manage such massive wastelands is highly tedious. Remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) applications can extract periodic spatial changes and make it easier to assess the number of wastelands in a given city, generate base maps, and remotely assess the extent of the area of wastelands/degraded lands. GIS also serves as a valuable tool to identify the neighboring land uses, lakes, green cover, and road networks, which could be considered as base work for any study to progress further with accurate information. Emerging technologies like big data and cloud-based technology are employed in IoT applications to devise an intelligent environment for these wastelands. Factors like workforce, time, labor, transportation, money, and all other logistics can thus be strategized better with the combination of GIS and IoT applications; these are integral to wasteland monitoring and management practices for urban regions. The combination of GIS and IoT makes urban wasteland assessment precise and actionable. GIS tools enable mapping and analyzing wasteland locations, their sizes, and proximity to key infrastructures like roads and residential areas. This information is essential for urban planners to determine land redevelopment priorities, such as converting wastelands into parks, solar farms, or affordable housing projects.

IoT further enhances this process by deploying sensors that collect realtime data on factors like soil quality, moisture levels, or pollution in wasteland areas. For example, soil sensors can determine whether a site is suitable for reforestation or agriculture. Additionally, IoT-enabled cameras or drones can monitor illegal activities like waste dumping or encroachment, ensuring timely intervention.

By integrating these technologies, cities can create detailed databases of wastelands, allowing for more efficient resource allocation and planning. This strategic approach ensures that urban wastelands are transformed into productive assets, supporting sustainable growth and better living environments.

CARBON SEQUESTRATION

POTENTIAL OF URBAN GREEN SPACES USING GIS

SUMITHA M (ug 3 Year) rd

Urban green spaces, such as parks, gardens, and roadside trees, mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Despite their importance, the carbon sequestration potential of these spaces is often overlooked due to a lack of accurate assessment and monitoring systems. By utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS), the carbon storage capacity of urban green spaces can be analyzed and optimized more effectively. GIS technology collects and analyzes spatial data for precise carbon storage estimation. Remote sensing imagery from satellites, UAVs, and LiDAR sensors provides high-resolution data on vegetation cover, tree canopy density, and land use patterns. Using GIS, vegetation indices such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) are calculated, which helps assess vegetation health and density factors that directly correlate with carbon sequestration capacity.

The process of carbon estimation involves integrating field measurements with spatial modeling. GIS-based tools use allometric equations to estimate the biomass and soil carbon storage in green spaces. By processing and mapping the data, urban planners can visualize the carbon sequestration potential across different areas of a city. This enables the identification of regions with low carbon storage, which can be targeted for afforestation and improved urban planning.

Case studies from cities like Bengaluru have shown that urban green spaces significantly enhance air quality and help reduce the urban heat island effect. Additionally, integrating machine learning algorithms into GIS systems can predict future carbon sequestration trends, considering factors such as urban expansion and vegetation growth.

By leveraging GIS technology, Governments and urban planners can implement data-driven strategies to increase carbon sequestration in urban areas. This helps mitigate climate change and enhances the sustainability and environmental resilience of cities, improving the quality of life for urban residents.

CROP PHENOLOGY MAPPING USING MICROWAVE REMOTE

SENSING AND GIS TECHNIQUES

AKSHITH S (ug 3 Year) rd

Agriculture is the backbone of India. Over 70% of people in India directly or indirectly depend on agriculture. Remote Sensing and GIS are critical tools that can be used to assess various crop and soil parameters for efficient agricultural practices. Optical and hyperspectral remote sensing has been extensively used in diverse applications such as assessing crop biomass, yield estimation, and plant disease prediction.

Crop phenology is another important parameter that can be vital for farmers. It is the study of a crop’s growth and life cycle, like germination, flowering, and maturity. Understanding these stages is important for agricultural management, yield estimation, and climate studies. When combined with GIS techniques, it enables precise spatial analysis of crop growth patterns. To accurately map crop phenology, continuous and temporal monitoring of the farming area is essential. Though satellites like Sentinel-2 have a high temporal resolution of 5 days, the major limitation of optical remote sensing is the influence of cloud cover which may hinder sequential monitoring. To overcome this limitation, microwave remote sensing satellites have been used.

Satellites operating in the microwave part of the electromagnetic spectrum can penetrate cloud cover and have an all-weather, all-day monitoring capability. These advantages have been well-exploited by the remote sensing scientific community in many applications such as oil spill detection, soil monitoring, crustal deformations, and many more. For crop phenology mapping, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data from satellites like Sentinel-1 and RADARSAT-2 is commonly used. The radar backscatter varies with crop growth stages due to changes in vegetation structure, moisture content, and canopy height.

GIS plays a major role in processing and analyzing SAR data. It is widely used to preprocess images, correct geometric and radiometric distortions, georeferenced to the Earth's surface, and perform time-series analysis by observing changes in backscatter values over time to identify different crop growth stages. GIS is also used to perform supervised and unsupervised classification of crops based on their phenological characteristics and aids in the integration of other data sources such as SAR and optical data (like Sentinel-2, Landsat) with meteorological and ground-based sensor data for enhanced accuracy. With advancements in SAR technology and GIS-based analytics, the accuracy of phenology mapping is improving, benefiting both farmers and researchers.

THROUGH THE EYES OF THE FRESHERS

From Uncertainity to Belonging: The Fresher's story

My first year experience was a peaceful journey. I made new friends. Being a person with small circled people, my communication skill grew here by talking to many seniors. Before joining this course, I only knew that this is a branch of Civil engineering, it was unexpected when I got this course but now started accepting this very well. My 1st semester was the time to test me, my abilities, my strengths which I managed in a best possible way. Hope the unexpected journey hides lot of surprise inside it.

The first year of college is a whirlwind. It has been a time of intense academic challenges, exciting new friendships, and a newfound independence. Lectures, late-night study sessions are quite boring, and the thrill of new experiences all contribute to a unique blend of stress and exhilaration. It's a year of both personal and intellectual growth, laying the foundation for the rest of your college journey.

Stepping into Geoinformatics felt like stepping into a new world of endless possibilities. I once thought that it might be a leap into the unknown, but soon, those doubts transformed into a deeper understanding of the countless opportunities that awaited. The guidance from the faculty and the unwavering support from seniors opened doors I never thought existed. Before joining, I never imagined seniors would be so involved in our journey. They’ve become more like mentors, offering care and insights that feel genuine and personal. The relationship with the faculty has turned into one of mutual respect and trust. They’re not just here to teach; they are here to guide us, nurture our questions, and ensure we learn with confidence. What truly makes the college unique is its environment—an atmosphere where even the smallest moments of uncertainty are turned into confidence. It’s a place where growth is encouraged, and every step feels like progress toward becoming the best version of ourselves. It has redefined what it means to learn. Being part of it has not just reshaped my perspective but also strengthened my belief in the bright future that awaits us.

→ MONISHA R → JAISHREE

THROUGH THE EYES OF THE FRESHERS

From Uncertainity to Belonging: The Fresher's story

Choosing a career path after 12 this a complex decision. In today's world where technology is revolving everywhere, I have always been fascinated by the space science and the data of the satellites. The worst part is came to know about Geo Informatics only during my counselling. Geo informatics excited me because it provides the opportunity to combine technology with real world applications. Working with GIS and remote sensing, I can also contribute to global challenges like disaster management, urban planning and climate change. Moreover my passion for space science matches perfectly with the tools and techniques of geo informatics. This is why I chose this path with a great enthusiasm.

→ SADHANA V

I chose Geo Informatics because of its scope of work and the fact that it can be integrated with any other field of engineering. I only got to know of such a field last year. But I found it quite interesting as I further got chances to delve deep about it. I was in utter shock when I found our traditional is society to be less aware of such a course, which can helping solving the majority of environmental issues. Overall, I found this as quite an underrated course which deserves the spotlight in the global stage.

I chose Geo Informatics to gain knowledge in Environmental, Natural Resource, and Disaster Management. Geo Informatics (GI) isa unique branch of Engineering and a rapidly growing field with diverse career opportunities, which persuaded me to opt for it. It comprises the concepts from Geography, Computer Science, and Information Technology, making it a field of great interest to me. Ultimately, I believe that pursuing Geo Informatics will equip me with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a positive impact on the environment and society, and I look forward to exploring the vast opportunities this field has to offer.

→ PREYADARSHINI M

CYBERGIS FOR GLOBAL ICEBERG MELTING ANALYSIS:

INTEGRATING BIG DATA FOR CLIMATE RESEARCH

JUDE GEOSON G (ug 3 Year) rd

Accelerated melting of icebergs by climate change has far-reaching impacts on global sea levels, ocean circulation patterns, and marine ecosystems. Monitoring and examining these changes necessitate sophisticated geospatial technologies, and CyberGIS, which is a fusion of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with high-performance computing, cloud computing, and big data analytics, provides a robust platform for global melting analysis of icebergs. Through the use of CyberGIS, scientists can analyze enormous data sets, build predictive models, and learn more about the influence of climate change on polar and oceanic systems.

Remote sensing from satellites is a key part of iceberg observation, with Sentinel-1, MODIS, and ICESat-2 sensors offering high-resolution images of icebergs and their melting trends. CyberGIS facilitates real-time processing of such big data, enabling effective monitoring of movement, breakage, and melting of icebergs. Moreover, SAR technology enables observing icebergs even in conditions of cloud cover and darkness, which makes it a useful tool for round-the-clock monitoring. Integration of such data on cloud computing interfaces like Google Earth Engine enables scientists to perform large-scale analysis free of computational constraints.

One of the greatest strengths of CyberGIS is its capacity to combine heterogeneous climate variables within a single analytical framework. When remote sensing observations are coupled with oceanic factors like sea surface temperature, salinity, and ocean currents, CyberGIS offers a more complete understanding of the physical processes governing iceberg decay.

In addition to data analysis, CyberGIS enables international collaboration through cloud-based platforms for data sharing and visualization. Researchers from various institutions can collaborate in real time, making comparative studies of ice loss patterns in the Arctic, Antarctic, and other regions that produce icebergs. This cross-disciplinary strategy improves climate research, ensuring that the most current scientific knowledge is incorporated into environmental policy and conservation.

As climate change accelerates, the ability to monitor and predict iceberg melting becomes increasingly critical. CyberGIS offers a transformative solution by integrating big data, artificial intelligence, and geospatial technologies into climate research. These advancements not only improve our ability to assess current trends but also support proactive measures for mitigating global warming’s effects. Through the use of CyberGIS, scientists and policymakers can craft better climate adaptation strategies to secure sustainable management of our planet's vulnerable polar ecosystems.

RIVERS OF MARS

BALA SABARISH (UG 3 Year) rd

The discovery and study of ancient rivers on Mars have been revolutionized by data from orbital remote sensing instruments, particularly the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) aboard NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. CRISM has been providing insights on planet’s geological history, helping to detect evidence of past water movement, especially during the Noachian period (~4.1 to 3.7 billion years ago). High-resolution spectral imaging from CRISM has identified extensive networks of valley systems and river channels that were likely formed by surface runoff and groundwater sapping. These features are concentrated in Mars' southern highlands and include complex valley networks that resemble terrestrial river systems.

CRISM’s ability to detect minerals associated with aqueous alteration has confirmed the presence of clays such as nontronite and montmorillonite in valley floors, crater rims, and ancient lakebeds. Regions like Nili Fossae and Jezero Crater show strong signatures of phyllosilicates, indicating that rivers once transported water and sediments, contributing to sustained weathering and deposition in these areas. This mineral evidence suggests Mars had a more temperate and hydrologically active climate during the Noachian.

However, as Mars entered the Hesperian period (~3.7 to 3.0 billion years ago), CRISM data reveal a significant reduction in clay deposits and a transition toward sulfate-bearing minerals like gypsum and kieserite. This shift marks a change to more acidic and arid conditions, which correspond with the depletion of river activity. Large valley networks stopped forming, and only localized channels remained, typically triggered by volcanic or impact events. Much of the water became locked in a thickening cryosphere or lost to space.

CRISM’s observations have been fundamental in reconstructing the timeline of water activity on Mars, illustrating the dramatic decline of river systems from a once wetter, habitable environment to the cold, dry desert we observe today. Remote sensing continues to shape our understanding of Mars’ ancient rivers and their role in the planet's geological evolution

JUPITER’S GREAT RED SPOT

PRAVEENA M (UG 3 Year) rd

Astronomers have observed Jupiter's legendary Great Red Spot (GRS), an anticyclone large enough to swallow Earth, for at least 150 years. But there are always new surprises – especially when NASA' Hubble space telescope takes a close-up look at it.

Hubble's new observations of the famous red storm, collected 90 days between December 2023 to March 2024, reveal that the GRS is not as stable as it might look. The recent data show the GRS jiggling like a bowl of gelatin. The combined Hubble images allowed astronomers to assemble a time-lapse movie of the squiggly behavior of the GRS.

Oscillatory Behavior Observed

Between December 2023 and March 2024, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope conducted detailed observations of the GRS. The data revealed that the storm exhibits oscillatory behavior, changing its shape and size over a 90-day cycle. This phenomenon causes the GRS to "jiggle like a bowl of gelatin," indicating that the storm is more dynamic than previously thought. The exact cause of this oscillation remains unknown, presenting a new mystery for researchers to explore.

Shrinking Size and Potential Stabilization

The GRS has been observed to be shrinking over the past century. Researchers predict that it will continue to decrease in size until it reaches a stable, more circular shape. Currently, the storm is "over-filling its latitude band relative to the wind field." Once it contracts within this band, the surrounding jet streams are expected to hold it in place more effectively, potentially leading to stabilization.

A study published in July 2024 suggests that interactions with smaller, transient storms may influence the size and strength of the GRS. Through 3D simulations, researchers found that these smaller storms can feed energy into the GRS, modulating its characteristics. This interaction is analogous to how smaller weather systems on Earth can sustain and amplify larger systems, such as heat domes.

Historical Perspective

Recent research indicates that the current GRS may not be the same storm observed by Giovanni Cassini in the 17th century. Observations suggest that the original storm dissipated around 1713 and was replaced by the present GRS, first observed in 1831. This finding challenges previous notions of the storm's permanence and suggests a more cyclical and transient nature.

These findings underscore the complexity and dynamism of Jupiter's Great Red Spot, highlighting the need for continued observation and study to fully understand this iconic storm.

LEVERAGING THE CHEMCAM RMI IMAGES FOR GEO CHEMICAL ANALYSIS

The Chemistry and Camera Complex (ChemCam) is a key instrument for geochemical analysis, (LIBS) and a Remote Micro-Imager (RMI). analysis, it has operational constraints. The RMI captures high-resolution images and provides a vast dataset that has largely remained underutilized. This study explores the potential of leveraging RMI images for geochemical analysis using machine learning techniques. A deep learning model based on the InceptionV3 Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) was employed to analyze RMI images. The dataset, comprising RMI images and LIBS-derived oxide values, was obtained from the Planetary Data System (PDS) and preprocessed into a structured format. The CNN model was trained to extract image embeddings, which were subjected to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and K-means clustering. The clustering results revealed patterns in the dataset that correlated with geochemical variations. Further analysis involved thresholding techniques to enhance vein detection and grain-size estimation using the Gini index. The CNN-based vein detection model achieved an accuracy of 73%, while the grain-size classification model demonstrated 86% accuracy. However, direct oxide value prediction from images yielded poor results, indicating the need for refined methodologies.

The findings suggest that CNNs can identify textural features relevant to Martian rock classification, providing a novel approach to automate ChemCam RMI image analysis. Future work will focus on refining classification metrics and integrating these methods into autonomous geochemical assessments. This research demonstrates the untapped potential of RMI images in planetary exploration, paving the way for more efficient and scalable analyses of Martian geology.

Acknowledgments: This work was supported by the Lunar and Planetary Institute’s Summer Intern Program and NASA’s ENComPSS cooperative agreement. Data utilized in this study were sourced from the NASA Planetary Data System.

SHAKTHI SRIRAM S (4 Year) TH B.E. GEOINFORMATICS

CRATER MAPPING AND AGE DATING OF PERMANENTLY SHAD OWED REGIONS IN THE SOUTH POLE OF THE MO ON

By: Mamathi N M, Nehavarthini M, Rishi Ganesh L (B. E. Geoinformatics 4th year)

Under the guidance of: Dr. R. Kanmani

Shanmuga Priya, Assistant Professor, IRS.

The paper of the above title was selected to be presented at the 6th Indian Planetary Science Conference (IPSC) at the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, organized by the Indian Planetary Science Association (IPSA) of PRL Ahmedabad.

The Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSR) of the Lunar South Pole are of major interest to space agencies like ISRO, and there is a critical finding that water ice exists in the cold traps of the PSR regions of the moon. Such regions never receive sunlight, and the temperature is approximately 30 K. However, Shadowcam, an instrument from KoreaPathfinderLunarOrbiter provides the high-resolution image as it is highly sensitive to the lowest illumination of light that the crater receives from the scattering of light from the foreign bodies. Mapping the craters in these regions could be of great significance in order to understand the cratering activity in those regions. One such crater, named Faustini, is located approximately 575 km from Shiv Shakti Station, the landing point of Chandrayaan-2, with a diameter of 41 km. Around 85% of the crater falls under the PSR as it never receives sunlight. For such craters, their ages were identified using the Neukam Age Dating Model which provides the absolute age of those craters located insid

The results conclude that craters larger than 0.5 km in diameter are aged 3.4 Ga to 4.2 Ga (Late Imbrian Age to Pre-Nectarian Age), while craters with diameters below 0.5 km are aged 2.4 Ma to 3.8 Ma (Copernican Age).

RISHI GANESH L (4 Year) TH B.E. GEOINFORMATICS

UNLO CKING LAKE

ECOSYSTEMS: THE

CRUCIAL

ROLE OF SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS IN MONITORING LAKE CHLOROPHYLL DYNAMICS

AKSHITH S (3 Year) rd B.E. GEOINFORMATICS

I’m Akshith, a third-year UG Student in Geoinformatics Engineering with a Minor Degree in Data Science at the Institute of Remote Sensing, College of Engineering Guindy. During my summer internship as a part of the SPARK 2024 program (funded), I worked on a research project titled "Unlocking Lake Ecosystems: The Crucial Role of Satellite Observations in Monitoring Lake Chlorophyll Dynamics".

My task was to assess and map the water quality parameters of the lake from satellite images. I applied different remote sensing techniques to estimate chlorophyll-a concentration in the Naini Lake in various geospatial platforms such as QGIS, ArcGIS, and Google Earth Engine and helped in the development of a machine learning model for real-time detection and continuous monitoring. I also visited the lake in person for 2 days and assisted in field data collection by collaborating with senior students. At the end of my internship program, I presented my research work as a poster presentation to the students and faculties of the Roorkee campus and received good remarks from the audience.

Our research work was accepted for a virtual poster presentation at the prestigious American Geophysical Union (AGU) Conference 2024. The AGU Conference, attended by researchers, scientists, young scientists, academicians, policymakers, and the general public worldwide, is one of the largest International Science gatherings. Spanning from Dec 9 to 13 and held in Washington D.C, the conference's theme was "What's Next for Science." By coordinating with a postgraduate student, we developed a poster, showcasing our research work to an International audience. We were delighted to receive many suggestions and remarks from researchers, scientists, and faculties across the world.

EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON WILDFIRE FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY IN CALIFORNIA USING GEOSPATIAL TOOLS

KAVIYA S (UG 3 Year) rd

Climate change has had a profound impact on the intensity and frequency of wildfires in California, making them more extensive and devastating. Temperature increases, droughts, and altered precipitation patterns have set the conditions for the occurrence of wildfires. Geospatial technologies, such as remote sensing and GIS, are significant aids in evaluating these effects through real-time information and predictive model analysis. Satellite observations from providers such as Landsat, MODIS, and Sentinel-2 can be used to monitor vegetation dryness, fuel moisture, and fire hazard areas. Thermal anomalies can be studied to identify hotspots of active fires and also estimate their intensities. Also, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) observations from Sentinel-1 facilitate monitoring of burn scars and regeneration of vegetation following fires, and provide information regarding long-term ecosystem changes.

Geospatial analysis further improves assessment of wildfire risks through the use of climate indicators like temperature, wind patterns, and soil conditions. Machine learning algorithms used against GIS data estimate fire-prone areas, ensuring preventive action is taken. Increased terrain analysis based on LiDAR technology additionally aids in identification of areas liable to quick fires spreading.

In addition, fire history data overlaid with near-real-time satellite imagery enables trends to be determined, revealing how climate change has affected fire occurrence over decades. For example, research shows that California wildfires have not only increased in frequency but also intensified with greater burn intensity and longer burning durations.

Through the use of geospatial technologies, policymakers, firefighters, and environmental scientists can make informed decisions regarding wildfire mitigation. Early warning systems, evacuation planning, and resource deployment become more efficient, minimizing impacts on communities and ecosystems. As climate change keeps fueling wildfire threats, incorporating cutting-edge geospatial technologies continues to be crucial in the development of adaptive strategies for resilience and recovery.

MAPPING AND

ANALYZING THE POTENTIAL

SPREAD OF MULTI-DRUG RESISTANCE AND ITS FUTURE OUTBREAKS USING GIS BASED PREDICTIVE MODELS

SANJAYKUMAR E (UG 2 Year) nd

The rise of multi-drug resistance (MDR) in infectious pathogens is one of the most significant challenges facing global public health. MDR occurs when bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms develop resistance to multiple antimicrobial drugs, rendering standard treatments ineffective. In India, antibiotic-resistant infections contribute to the death of a child every 9 minutes, with over 50,000 infant fatalities. Predicting the future spread of MDR and its potential outbreaks is vital for implementing effective containment strategies and resource allocation. One of the most powerful tools for mapping and analyzing the spread of MDR is Geographic Information System (GIS)-based predictive models, which can provide valuable insights into the spatial and temporal dynamics of MDR outbreaks. GIS is a powerful tool that integrates spatial data with geographic location information, allowing for the analysis of patterns, trends, and relationships within a given area. It uses spatial data (maps, satellite imagery, demographic data) combined with non-spatial data (such as health data) to generate insights that support decision-making. In mapping the potential spread of MDR, GIS provides a platform to:

1. Visualize the Spatial Distribution of MDR: Mapping the locations where MDR strains are most prevalent can help identify hotspots and regions that require targeted interventions.

2. Analyze Environmental Factors: GIS can assess environmental conditions such as population density, sanitation levels, healthcare infrastructure, and antibiotic usage patterns, which contribute to the spread of MDR.

3. Track Epidemiological Trends: GIS can track the movement of pathogens across geographic regions, identifying emerging trends and potential outbreaks.

4. Predict Future Outbreaks: By integrating historical data and predictive modeling techniques, GIS tools can forecast future outbreaks, guiding preventative and control measures. Some of the key predictive models used in GIS-based analysis of MDR: GIS-based predictive modeling for multi-drug resistance (MDR) uses spatial-temporal models to forecast outbreaks. Machine learning algorithms can analyze large datasets and improve predictions over time.

INTEGRATING REMOTE SENSING AND GIS FOR CRITICAL HABITAT MAPPING AND ENDANGERED SPECIES SUITABILITY ANALYSIS

Kavya isaimozhi (UG 2 Year) nd

Wildlife faces significant threats due to human activities, including habitat destruction and pollution, highlighting the urgent need for targeted conservation strategies. Advances in geospatial technologies, such as remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), have transformed wildlife management by enabling accurate habitat mapping, biodiversity assessments, and species movement modeling. Unlike traditional methods that were laborintensive and limited in scope, remote sensing offers scalable, repeatable, and cost-effective solutions for assessing habitat quality across large areas. Satellites like Landsat and Sentinel-2 provide high-resolution imagery, facilitating the mapping of land cover, vegetation types, and environmental conditions vital for wildlife habitats. Additionally, technologies such as hyperspectral imaging and LiDAR deliver detailed information about vegetation structure, biomass, and forest age, while also capturing important ecological metrics like the Leaf Area Index (LAI). These tools are important for monitoring habitat changes over time, identifying areas impacted by human activities or climate change, and aligning conservation efforts with global biodiversity goals. Integrating remote sensing with GIS significantly enhances the analysis of environmental, anthropogenic, and species-specific factors affecting habitat viability. GIS serves as an integrated platform for the storage, management, and analysis of spatial data, encompassing information on climate, soil types, topography, and proximity to urban regions. By combining this data with species occurrence information from field surveys or databases like GBIF and IUCN, habitat suitability models such as MaxEntor Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) can be developed. These models generate valuable habitat maps and identify potential movement corridors, aiding targeted conservation efforts. Conducting field-based validation is essential to ensure that remote sensing-derived data aligns with actual conditions, thereby improving the accuracy of habitat assessments. This integrated approach has led to the formulation of effective wildlife management plans, enabling conservationists to determine priority areas for action and optimize the allocation of resources. Case studies illustrate the important role geospatial technologies play in habitat monitoring and the conservation of endangered species. Furthermore, predictive modeling that incorporates future climate scenarios bolsters conservation efforts by anticipating habitat changes due to environmental shifts. Despite challenges such as data scarcity, irregular temporal data, and limited technological capabilities in developing countries, the integration of remote sensing, GIS, and field-based methods marks a significant advancement in habitat monitoring. Future advancements in geospatial technologies, coupled with global cooperation and enhanced infrastructure, will be essential for achieving sustainable biodiversity conservation and effectively mitigating human-wildlife conflicts.

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GEOINFORMATICS ALUMNI’S SECTION

ARAVINDH SUBRAMANIAM S

Masters Student at Technical University

of Munich

"What starte gineering course turned into something much bigger than I expected". I’m Aravind proud Geoinformatics graduate from Institute of Remote Sensing, currently studying for my Master of Science in Geodesy and Geoinformatics at the Technical University of Munich, Germany. My time at the Institute of Remote Sensing showed me the real-world impact of geospatial tech—beyond data and analysis, it’s about solving environmental challenges and shaping policy. The professors kept things engaging, and my classmates made learning fun—whether it was tackling tough concepts or sharing those random "Aha!" moments. The labs were a playground for experimentation, and the society events brought a lot of energy to our time at IRS. Looking back, it was a phase filled with learning, late-night project grinds, and a fair share of fun I still miss it. I don’t know if I’m in a position to give "advice," but I can definitely share what worked for me and what I wish I had known earlier. At the end of the day, geoinformatics is vast, and everyone carves their own path. But one thing is non-negotiable—get your basics strong. If you have a solid grasp of the fundamentals, everything else will fall into place much more smoothly. Second year is the real gamechanger. This is when you’re exposed to everything satellite data, spatial analysis, coding, and more. It can be overwhelming at first, or it might completely blow your mind (hopefully both). Just don’t lose your curiosity. This is also when you should start thinking ahead—do you want to pursue a master's or get into the industry right after graduation? Third year is about finding your niche. By now, you’ve seen the different applications of geoinformatics—urban planning, disaster management, environmental monitoring, AI in GIS, and so on. Pick what excites you the most and go all in. Internships, research projects, extra courses whatever helps you master your chosen field, do it. If you're planning for a master's, this is the time to start preparing whether it’s GATE, GRE, IELTS, or applications for abroad. If you’re looking for a job, start preparing for interviews and entrance exams. And please, master the programming languages in our course. They will definitely help you a lot—it has done for me. If you handle this entire well, your final year will be a breeze. Focus on a project that truly stands out, something that showcases your full potential. It doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, but it should be something that makes people say, “Yeah, this person knows their stuff.” At the end of the day, it’s not about just getting a degree—it’s about building skills that make you confident in our field. And trust me, once you get that confidence, everything else gets easier. I am still figuring out the endless ways GIS can be applied—every day, I come across a new field where it plays a crucial role. So when it comes to internships and jobs, it’s not that opportunities are rare, but they can be hard to find. The key is to keep looking and not lose hope you’ll definitely find something that fits you. Seeing the 2025 Indian budget, I’m optimistic that we’ll see a rise in opportunities for our field. And one last thing—don’t hesitate to reach out to your seniors. We’ve been through the same journey, and we’d be more than happy to share whatever little things we know.

Wishing you all the best, and hopefully, our paths cross in the future I’d love to work with you all someday!

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GEOINFORMATICS ALUMNI’S SECTION

ADITI RAVI

Master’s in Applied Remote Sensing for Earth Sciences, ITC, University of Twente, Netherlands

Navigating the Frontiers of Geoinformatics

As I sit down to pen this article for SPATIA, memories of my time at Anna University come rushing back. It was here that I first found my passion for Remote Sensing. Today, as a Master's student in Applied Remote Sensing for Earth Sciences at ITC, University of Twente, I find myself exploring planetary landscapes— studying Mars, the Moon, and Earth's dynamic processes. My journey from the classrooms of CEG to international research collaborations has been a challenging yet fulfilling adventure. My time at Institute of Remote Sensing (IRS) provided me with a solid foundation in remote sensing and GIS. I learnt a lot while volunteering for events of the Society of Geoinformatics Engineers (SGE) and the Astro Club. The lectures sure gave me a good grasp over the technical component, but it was my “out-of-the-box” initiatives that led me to explore the diverse applications of what I was studying in my Bachelor’s. After my undergraduate studies, I delved deeper into planetary sciences through research internships. At the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, I worked on analysing potential paleolakes within Jezero Crater, Mars, and studied the geological and mineralogical characteristics of the Schomberger-A crater near the lunar south pole. These projects exposed me to high-level remote sensing applications and deepened my interest in planetary geomorphology. Currently, at ITC, University of Twente, I am exploring hyperspectral imaging, spectroscopy, and geospatial analysis for both Earth and Mars. My thesis focuses on Martian analogues in Iceland's volcanic terrains, using remote sensing and field datasets from Iceland.

Opportunities for Current Students

For students at Anna University passionate about geoinformatics, remote sensing, or planetary research, the opportunities are endless. Not just geosciences, but no matter what application-oriented field you choose, there are tons of opportunities across the globe today. Here are some key takeaways that might help in shaping your career:

1. Internships Matter: Seek research internships at organizations like ISRO, IIT’s Summer Research Fellowships, and international agencies too. Programs like DAAD, Erasmus+, and NASA internships provide students to work on cutting-edge research without having to think about finances, as they are mostly partially or even fully-funded!

2. Publish and Present: Engage in research projects, participate in conferences, and contribute to journals. Simply putting up a poster for a conference can widen your networking to a LARGE extent! Keep an eye open for such opportunities.

3. Use social media to the best extent possible: All the major research associations and conferences have their LinkedIn, Instagram accounts active, keep a close look on them and find ways to connect, contribute and participate.

To

learn passionately, and make an impact.

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GEOINFORMATICS ALUMNI’S SECTION

Amirtha A

Alumni of B.E. Geo-informatics, IRS, CEG (Batch – 2020 - 2024) Project Associate, Centre for Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences, (CAOS) Indian Institute of Science, IISc, Bangalore

What follows is a friendly chat from your senior, sharing a few me laughs along the way.

go that I'd spend my time analysing satellite images, studying ng complex climate patterns – I’d have smiled politely and gone he Total Station properly. But somewhere between my first land e at the Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (CAOS) at transformed from just a degree into a space (pun intended) where I found curiosity, challenge, and comfort.

My journey in this field has been shaped by small but impactful steps – interning at MSSRF and NIOT, experimenting with regression models and chlorophyll mapping, and diving into SAR Interferometry at IISc. Trust me, when you start using terms like “Persistent Scatterer” in casual conversation, you know you’ve become ‘that remote sensing person’. What truly excited me was how each experience opened a door to something new, often things I hadn’t imagined I’d enjoy.

To the first-year students, I know these terms might sound like an alien language right now –don’t worry, you’ll be fluent soon enough! And along with all this, make it a point to consistently improve your subject knowledge. Read papers, stay updated with new methods, and understand the 'why' behind the tools you use. It makes a huge difference in the long run.

For those navigating this field, don’t feel pressured to master everything at once. Start with the basics – get comfortable with tools like QGIS, ArcGIS, or Google Earth Engine. Try out AI, ML and Python (yes, it might give you a few breakdowns, but it’s worth it). Take up short projects, attend symposiums, and don’t underestimate the value of YouTube tutorials, late-night Google searches and discussions with mentors. Build your profile not just with experience, but with skills. Your learning doesn’t need to be grand – it just needs to start.

Internships are an excellent way to explore what excites you. Institutes like ISRO, PRL, NRSC, NIOT, and IISc offer serious learning, while well established companies and startups provide hands-on experience. International programs like Mitacs and LPI Summer Internships are worth considering too. They can sound intimidating, but with a good project idea and persistence, they’re completely doable. And LinkedIn? Surprisingly powerful – just remember to message people and surely, they’ll get back to you. COLD MAILS do wonders too.

Coordinates Revisited

GEOINFORMATICS ALUMNI’S SECTION

Looking ahead – whether it's research, a job, or higher studies – clarity will come with time. You don’t need all the answers now. Starting early and small actions – asking questions, attending workshops and events, or taking on new responsibilities – often lead to the best outcomes. So, keep exploring, keep evolving, and you’ll find your path. Also, as a kind request, help your peers, learn from them, work together with them. After all, it’s the memories that make college life special – explore CEG, enjoy Chennai’s beaches, food, and cafes!

There’s no single right path. Some love fieldwork, others coding, or making maps from satellite data. Try different things to see what clicks. And if higher studies are on your mind, there are lots of scholarships and fundings available, you just need to start researching early, document your projects, and write your SOPs in advance – it’ll save you from the last-minute rush!

And finally on campus – be involved! Conduct departmental activities, join symposiums, organize workshops (or at least show up for the snacks), lead something, or volunteer. Every small experience adds up. You don’t need to be perfect – just curious, consistent, and willing to figure things out slowly, as life is all about learning and experiencing!

And just so you know, as the title suggests, I’m still figuring out my own orbit in this field. After all, even a satellite takes a few turns to find its perfect path. So, feel free to ping me anytimewhether it’s to discuss ideas, brainstorm something exciting, or just share a casual, funny chat. As a senior, I’m always happy to support my dear juniors in any way I can.

“Through maps, models, and mistakes, Geo-informatics helped me navigate not just the Earth - but my own path too.”

Alumni are the living legacy of any institution — the proof of its impact and the promise of its future

URBAN HEAT ISLAND MITIGATION THROUGH GEOSPATIAL TECHNIQUES

MONIKA DEVI E (UG 2 Year) nd

In an era of rapid urbanization and escalating global temperatures, Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) have emerged as a significant threat to urban livability and sustainability. These localized zones experience markedly higher temperatures than their surrounding rural areas, primarily due to dense infrastructure, limited vegetation, and intense human activity. The effects of UHIs are far-reaching—increased energy consumption, rising public health risks (including heat strokes and respiratory ailments), and stress on urban infrastructure are just a few of the pressing concerns. As cities expand, the urgency to understand and mitigate UHIs becomes paramount.This is where geospatial technologies —particularly Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) —play a transformative role. These tools offer a comprehensive and scientific approach to mapping, analyzing, and addressing UHI phenomena with unprecedented precision.

Remote Sensing: Mapping the Urban Heat Canvas

Satellites such as Landsat, MODIS, and Sentinel provide high-resolution imagery crucial for monitoring Land Surface Temperature (LST). These platforms help identify thermal patterns and urban heat concentrations. In tandem, indices like the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) offer valuable insights into vegetation density and urban sprawl—both key factors in UHI formation.Thermal Infrared (TIR) sensors further enhance this analysis by capturing surface heat signatures, allowing researchers to pinpoint urban "hotspots" with remarkable accuracy. These technologies form the foundation of effective, evidence-based mitigation strategies. GIS: Turning Data into Action

While remote sensing provides the imagery, GIS transforms it into actionable intelligence. By integrating spatial datasets such as land use, temperature readings, topography, and population data—GIS platforms create detailed heat distribution maps across cities. These maps help planners understand the spatial dynamics of heat accumulation.Advanced spatial interpolation techniques like Kriging and Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) allow analysts to estimate temperature variations even in data-scarce areas. Furthermore, MultiCriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) aids in prioritizing high-risk zones, ensuring targeted interventions where they're needed most.

INTEGRATED SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SITE SUTABILITY USING MULTISOURCE DATA FUSION

KASHIKA V (UG 2 Year) nd

As the global demand for clean and sustainable energy continues to rise, identifying optimal locations for renewable energy infrastructure has become a critical priority. Integrated spatial analysis, supported by multisource data fusion, offers a powerful and precise approach to renewable energy site suitability assessment. By combining diverse datasets ranging from satellite imagery and LIDAR to socio-economic surveys and climate data—this method enables decision-makers to evaluate potential sites through a comprehensive, data-driven lens. Geographic Information Systems (GIS), coupled with artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, allow for the synthesis of complex spatial and non-spatial data, leading to more informed and balanced site selection.

This approach integrates diverse datasets using multisource data fusion to identify optimal locations for renewable energy projects. The goal is to support sustainability, energy security, and economic growth while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

The process begins with comprehensive data collection, combining qualitative inputs like surveys with quantitative sources such as satellite imagery and LIDAR, emphasizing both accuracy and relevance. This is followed by data preprocessing, where the collected information is cleaned, missing values are handled, and data is normalized and standardized to ensure consistency. Criteria selection is then conducted, assessing key factors including topography, land use, cost, climate conditions, and regulatory frameworks through GIS tools and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). In the multisource data fusion step, datasets are integrated using advanced tools such as ArcGIS, QGIS, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and satellite imagery to build a unified analysis framework. The final step is validation, which involves verifying the model’s outcomes using ground-truth data and comparisons with known renewable energy sites, utilizing platforms like Python, R, and GIS to confirm precision and reliability.

Advantages:

This method enables precise and sustainable site selection for renewable energy by balancing development with environmental conservation. Its advantages include holistic decision-making that considers multiple factors simultaneously, cost and time efficiency through optimized planning, and a strong emphasis on environmentally conscious development. However, it also presents challenges such as the complexity of integrating diverse datasets, high computational requirements, and limitations in data availability and accuracy. Despite these obstacles, the approach significantly enhances the effectiveness and sustainability of renewable energy planning.

GEOSPATIAL CLOUD COMPUTING

Transforming the Future of Earth Observation and Spatial Analysis

Introduction Geospatial Cloud Computing (GCC) is the integration of geospatial data processing and analysis with cloud computing technologies. It enables scalable, on-demand access to vast geospatial datasets and powerful analytical tools over the internet. This fusion has revolutionized how we collect, store, process, and interpret spatial information for diverse applications ranging from environmental monitoring to urban planning.

Geospatial Cloud Computing involves leveraging cloud infrastructure to store, analyze, and visualize geospatial data such as satellite imagery, LiDAR, GPS, and remote sensing outputs. Platforms like Google Earth Engine, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft Azure offer services that support big geospatial data operations in real time.

Key Components

1. Cloud Infrastructure: Provides scalable storage and computational resources.

2. Geospatial Data: Includes satellite imagery, vector data, raster data, and IoT sensor outputs.

3. Processing Tools: GIS software (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS Online), APIs, machine learning frameworks.

4. Visualization Platforms: Dashboards, interactive maps, and webbased tools for presenting results. Benefits

Scalability: Easily handle terabytes of data across distributed systems.

Cost-Effectiveness: Pay-as-you-go models reduce the need for expensive hardware.

Accessibility: Access tools and data anywhere, enabling collaboration across regions.

Real-Time Analysis: Instant data processing for time-sensitive applications.

Skill Gaps: Need for training in both geospatial science and cloud computing technologies.

Future Trends AI Integration: Enhanced data classification, pattern detection, and predictive modeling.

Open Data Initiatives: Broader access to global spatial datasets for public and academic use.

Interoperability: Greater emphasis on API development and crossplatform compatibility.

MAPPING THE UNIVERSE: DETECTION OF GRAVITATIONAL WAVES

JUMANA BEGUM (UG 1 Year) ST

Gravitational waves are one of the mysteries of the cosmos. Generally, these waves are ripples in space time which is produced whenever a large massive object is accelerated. Detecting these kind of waves is difficult as it is very weak and doesn't interact much with it's surroundings as it travels around the space. These waves propagate in the speed of the light and carry information about the events that gave rise to them without any significant distortion. Detecting these gravitational waves can be very helpful to analyse some of the far space events that occur in the cosmos. Gravitational wave was first detected by LIGO ( Laser Inferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory) in September 14, 2015, and it was from the merger of two black holes. This mega space event involved two black holes with masses approximately 29 and 36 times that of the sun. This collision happened 1.3 billion years ago. But, the ripples didn’t make it to Earth until 2015. Like this we can analyse the events that occur far in cosmos. LIGO utilizes a much more complex version of a Michelson interferometer, but functionally, it is very similar. In order to make it easier for the equipment to detect only the vibrations brought on by gravity waves, LIGO's interferometers were built with unique technologies to block out undesired vibrations, or noise.

There are many other gravitational interferometer to detect the gravitational waves like Virgo located in Italy, KAGRA located in Japan and GEO600 located in Germany. LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA have collaborated to form a global network of Gravitational waves observatories to detect gravitational waves and pinpoint their locations. Soon after it's first detection, LIGO-Virgo detected another gravitational wave. It was confirmed that gravitational wave (GW170817) detected was the signal produced by the last moments of the inspiral process of a binary pair of neutron stars, ending with their merger. The GEO600 detector was also operating at the time, but its sensitivity was insufficient to contribute to the analysis of the inspiral. The gravitational wave was detectable for about 100 seconds. After the neutron stars collided, a flash of light in the form of gamma rays was emitted and it was seen on Earth for about two seconds after the gravitational waves. The gamma-ray burst(GRB 170817A) was quickly detected by the Fermi and INTEGRAL spacecraft beginning 1.7 seconds after the GW merger signal. For the first time, LIGO's and Virgo's gravitational-wave sensors enabled EM astronomers to directly observe a powerful gravitational-wave generator within hours of its occurrence. Like this, detecting gravitational waves help us understand the universe better and view the universe in different perspectives.

Academic Horizons

Higher Studies: Navigate Your Academic Future

Masters in India primarily requires the clearing of entrance exams like GATE, TANCET and other university-specific entrance exams

• M.E. Remote sensing and Geomatics, Anna University – through TANCET exam Through GATE exam

• IIT Bombay – CSRE, M.Tech.

• IIT Delhi – Centre for Atmospheric Sciences

• IIT Kanpur – M.Tech. Geoinformatics

• IIT Roorkee – M.Tech Geomatics Engineering

• IIT ISM Dhanbad – M.Tech Geomatics

• IIST Thiruvananthapuram – M.Tech in Geoinformatics

• NIT Surathkal – Dept of Water Resources and Ocean Engineering – Remote sensing and GIS

• Delhi Technological University (DTU) – M.Tech in Geoinformatics (Dept. of Civil Engineering)

MASTERS IN INDIA MASTERS OVERSEAS

University of Twente, ITC, Netherlands – Faculty of Geoinformation Science and Earth Observation

Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia, USA

Stanford University, USA – Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA – Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering • ETH Zurich, Switzerland

University of Michigan, USA – Rackham Graduate School – good for RS and GIS along with atmospheric sciences

University of Toronto, Canada

University College London – Core GIS

Ohio State University, USA – specifically good for pursuing Geodesy

INTERNSHIP & PLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES

GOPIKA N SREE RITHIGAA S SANJAY KHANNA D GOKULAPRIYA H

ESRI INDIA

ABOOTHASHREE

S

GEO NEWS AROUND THE GLOBE

~ SREE RITHIGAA S (4 YEAR) TH B.E. GEOINFORMATICS N E W S L E T T E R

GeoSmart India 2024 – HyderabaD (December 2–5)

GeoSmart India 2024 convened in Hyderabad, focusing on the theme "Powering Digital Public Infrastructure Through Geospatial Knowledge." The conference featured summits on geospatial knowledge infrastructure, agriculture, climate change, and disaster management. Bilateral summits, including the 4th India-USA and 3rd India-Japan Space and Geospatial Business Summits, highlighted international collaborations. Tech Mahindra participated as a co-sponsor, emphasizing GIS capabilities and analytics-driven solutions.

Indo-Pacific GeoIntelligence Forum – New Delhi (June 11–12)

Held in New Delhi, this forum addressed "Resilient Multi-Domain Regional Security – Land, Sea, Air, Space, and Cyberspace." It brought together military, government, industry, and academic experts to discuss the integration of geospatial intelligence with emerging technologies, particularly the fusion of geospatial and artificial intelligence (GEOAI), to enhance regional security.

Amaravati Drone Summit – Andhra Pradesh (October 22–23)

The Amaravati Drone Summit in Andhra Pradesh aimed to position the state as a hub for drone technology. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced plans for a 300acre drone hub in Orvakal, Kurnool District, and training programs for 35,000 drone pilots. The summit featured India's largest drone show with over 5,500 drones, setting five Guinness World Records.

National Geospatial Awards & Open Source GIS Day – IIT Bombay (September 15)

IIT Bombay hosted the inaugural National Geospatial Awards 2024 and Open Source GIS Day. The event recognized contributions from institutions like the Survey of India, NRSC-ISRO Hyderabad, ISRO’s SATNAV Programme, and NESAC-ISRO. It also celebrated the spirit of open-source geospatial tools, aligning with the 'National Geospatial Policy 2022' and the 'Indian Space Policy 2023'.

WGIC DEI Trailblazer Awards 2024

The World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC) presented the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Trailblazer Awards 2024, recognizing exceptional achievements in promoting DEI within the geospatial industry. Awardees included Albert Momo, DeepSpatial, and Women+ in Geospatial, acknowledging their contributions to fostering an inclusive geospatial community.

GEOHORIZON

OUR INTER COLLEGE TECHNICAL SYMPOSIUM

GeoHorizon is the flagship inter-level college symposium organized by the prestigious Institute of Remote Sensing (IRS), serving as a dynamic platform where technology, innovation, and collaboration converge. This national-level event brings together over 600 participants, including 400+ from within the university and 200+ from institutions across the country. With a focus on remote sensing, geospatial technologies, and emerging digital trends, GeoHorizon creates an engaging space for students, researchers, and enthusiasts to exchange knowledge, sharpen their skills, and explore the cutting edge of spatial science. The event features a rich lineup of workshops on GIS, AI/ML, and drone technology, led by industry experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. Attendees can also benefit from insightful guest lectures, take part in thrilling technical competitions like GeoHunt and Spatial Quizzes, and witness the exciting Open House exhibition, where school students explore geospatial applications in action. Alongside the techheavy activities, vibrant food and accessories stalls add a social and festive flair to the symposium. Blending hands-on learning with fun and networking, GeoHorizon stands as a celebration of innovation and interdisciplinary exploration, making it a much-anticipated event on every tech-savvy student’s calendar.

INAGURATION OF AND CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL REMOTE SENSING DAY

SOCIETY OF GEOINFORMATICS ENGINEERS

The Society of Geoinformatics Engineers, Institute of Remote Sensing, successfully inaugurated the Society of Geoinformatics Engineers and celebrated National Remote Sensing and National Space Day, marking 20 years of SGE on September 6, 2024, at the Vivekananda Auditorium, College of Engineering, Guindy. The event was graced by Dr. Prakash Chauhan, Director of the National Remote Sensing Centre, ISRO, Department of Space, Hyderabad, as the Chief Guest. He addressed the gathering, highlighting the significance of remote sensing and space technology in geoinformatics and encouraged students to contribute to advancements in the field.

NATIONAL SPACE DAY

On August 23, 2024, India celebrated its first National Space Day, marking a year since Chandrayaan-3's success. A special event at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, brought together scientists, students, and space enthusiasts. The program featured addresses by Dr. C. Udhayakumar, Prof. Dr. R. Vidhya, and Dr. M. Ramalingam, highlighting India's space achievements. A tech-talk by Mr. Suriyah Dhinakaran and Mr. Arun Vishwanath explored advancements in space technology. The event concluded with a vote of thanks and the national anthem, inspiring future space research and innovation.

CELESTIA

OUR INTRA COLLEGE SYMPOSIUM

Celestia is an annual intra-college technical symposium organized by the Society of Geoinformatics Engineers as a one-day celebration of knowledge and innovation. Designed with the vision of imparting multi-dimensional domain expertise, the event caters to students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Geoinformatics. From captivating events to enlightening workshops, Celestia brings together bright minds in a cosmic convergence of ideas and technological exchange. The inauguration ceremony is graced by distinguished guests from the field, including eminent researchers and academicians who share valuable insights—such as advancements in planetary remote sensing and other emerging areas of Geoinformatics.

The symposium features 5+ engaging events, including paper and poster presentations, with topics highlighting the diverse applications of Geoinformatics across various disciplines. Celestia continues to shine as a beacon of cutting-edge technology and innovation, fostering collaboration, curiosity, and the continued advancement of the Geoinformatics field.

LOL-itude & Longi-fun

Why did the raster file break up with the vector file?

→ Because it couldn’t handle the resolution of their relationship!

Why did the shapefile go to therapy?

→ It had boundary issues!

What did the GPS say to the lost phone?

→ “You’ve got no sense of direction, do you?”

Why don’t mapmakers ever get lost?

→ They always follow the legend!

Why was the shapefile so good at relationships?

→ It always stayed within its boundaries.

Why did the map stay calm during a crisis?

→ It always knew where it stood.

Why don’t GIS people argue with buffers?

→ Because buffers always give you space.

Why did the GIS analyst bring a ladder to work?

→ Because they wanted to reach a higher layer!

What’s a GIS expert’s favorite pick-up line?

→ “Are you a shapefile? Because you’ve got all the right attributes.”

Why did the point data throw a party?

→ Because it wanted to be the center of attention!

Matrix

~

AKSHITH

S (3 YEAR) RD

B.E. GEOINFRMATICS

ACROSS DOWN

2. Reference surface used to define heights in surveying.

4. CNN architecture used for semantic segmentation of images.

7. Ratio of a map distance to the corresponding ground distance.

8. What process changes the pixel size of a raster dataset?

10. Equipotential surface representing mean sea level globally.

14. Science that uses photographs to measure distances and elevations in surveying.

17. First satellite in the world.

18. What GNSS measurement method determines distance by signal travel time?

21. Changes in the reflectivity / emissivity with respect to wavelength is called

23. Statistical measure that quantifies randomness in data?

25. Assess the greeness of vegetation.

26. Satellite mission to monitor gravitational field.

1. Passive Microwave remote sensing instrument.

3. GIS tool to create zones at a specified distance around features.

5. The ability of a sensor to distinguish fine spatial detail.

6. Error betweeen predicted and observed value.

9. Geographic coordinates to image pixels.

11. Decomposition of a signal into sine and cosine components is called transform.

12. Line connecting equal elevation values on a map.

13. Reflective surface causing GNSS signal delays.

15. Variation of elevation across a landscape.

16. Geodetic system used in GPS.

17. Locational data

19. Ratio of reflected to incident radiation on a surface.

20. Process of translating a physical address into a geographical location.

22. Day containing 23 hours 56 mins 4 sec is?

24. Measurement of the backscatter of the microwave pulse emitted from the sensor is referred to as?

S O L U T I O N S

Matrix

O U R S P O N S O R S

ABC Techno Labs India Pvt Ltd is a leading environmental, health, and safety engineering consultancy based in Chennai. They offer comprehensive services in environmental impact assessments, air and water quality analysis, and food safety testing. Their in-house NABLaccredited laboratories provide reliable testing for various industries. With over 26 years of experience, ABC Techno Labs delivers sustainable solutions across sectors like infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing.

Hexamap Solutions delivers expert GIS services tailored to each business’s unique needs. Their team provides powerful geospatial solutions across sectors like Utilities, Construction, and Urban Planning. With deep technical knowledge and hands-on experience, they tackle complex challenges with ease. Clients trust them for reliable, high-quality solutions that truly make a difference.

AllTerra Solutions LLP is a leading geospatial solutions provider based in India, with over 350 person-years of experience. As an official Trimble partner, they offer services including surveying, mapping, GIS, and drone-based land parcel mapping. Their expertise spans sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, transportation, and government. AllTerra is known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

Indomer Coastal Hydraulics (P) Ltd is a Chennai-based consultancy specializing in marine and coastal engineering. They offer services like desalination plant support, coastal and seabed engineering, topographic surveys, and environmental impact assessments. Their expertise also includes oceanography, ship simulation, and advanced modeling for large-scale infrastructure projects. With 26+ years of experience and 900+ projects, Indomer delivers science-driven solutions backed by experts from IITs and CSIR labs.

O U R S P O N S O R S

RedPlanet Group (RPG) is a leading geospatial solutions provider headquartered in Malaysia, with operations in India and Australia. They specialize in delivering customized GIS services to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency across various industries. Their offerings include mobile mapping, grid analytics, workforce management, and integration with platforms like Hexagon and Esri. RPG serves sectors such as utilities, agriculture, and smart cities, empowering clients with real-time geospatial intelligence for improved productivity and profitability.

Geo Marine Consultants (P) Ltd. is a multidisciplinary firm based in Chennai, specializing in geospatial, environmental, and marine engineering services. Their expertise spans onshore and offshore mineral exploration, hydrographic and geophysical surveys, and coastal zone management. They also offer groundwater studies, environmental impact assessments, and GIS solutions. Trusted by clients like UltraTech Cement and the Ministry of Mines, Geo Marine delivers integrated, science-driven solutions across sectors such as oil & gas, ports, and infrastructure.

Shah Technical Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (STC) is a leading civil and environmental engineering consultancy headquartered in Mumbai, with a branch office in Chennai. They specialize in urban infrastructure projects, focusing on water supply, sewerage, stormwater, solid waste, and roads & bridges. Their services encompass planning, design, project management, and capacity building. With over 48 years of experience, STC has completed over 1,000 projects across India and internationally, including in the USA, Canada, UAE, and Sri Lanka.

PAT RO N

ADV I S O R

T EAM LEAD

DR. R. VIDHYA

PROFESSOR & DIRECTOR, IRS

DR. C. UDHAYAKUMAR

PROFESSOR & PRESIDENT, SGE

DR. B. DIVYA PRIYA

ASST. PROFESSOR & TREASURER, SGE

E D I TO R I N C H I E F SREE RITHIGAA S, SANJAY KHANNA D

C O N T E N T W R I T E R S

D ES I G N E R

BHARATHI A, AKSHITH S, BALA SABARISH SH, JUDE GEOSON G, KRITHIKA V, PRAVEENA M, SUMITHA M, KASHIKA V, KAVIYA S, MONIKA DEVI E, SANJAY KUMAR E, KAVYA ISAIMOZHI JR, PADMAPRIYA P, JUMANA BEGUM

SUJATHA M