论述了"数字地球"的特征与重要意义,指出对地观测是"数字地球"的核心内容之一。建议中国不失时机地组织建设国家对地观测体系。该体系可在信息获取、处理与应用3个层面上构建,并提出近期中国对地观测应优先发展的领域,以持续地为"数字地球"发展作贡献。

This paper describes the concept and the important sig nificance of the"Digital Earth". It is pointed out that the earth observing t echnology is the key issue of the"Digital Earth". It has been suggested that China should develop the national earth observing system. The system should cons ist of three parts, i.e., information acquisition, information processing and in formation application. The development of earth observation technology, in the f irst priority, have been discussed in the article. The national earth observing system could have a great contribution for the Digital Earth.