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Photos: NOAA study uses latest technology to compute updated Washington Monument height

Illustration of the measuring points used by Lt. Col. Thomas Casey in 1884 and the 2014 measuring point used by NOAA to meet CTBUH standards.

Illustration of the measuring points used by Lt. Col. Thomas Casey in 1884 and the 2014 measuring point used by NOAA to meet CTBUH standards. (NOAA photo) Download

The view of the top of the Monument as viewed through the Total Station surveying tool, captured by placing a smartphone camera up to the eyepiece.

The view of the top of the Monument as viewed through the Total Station surveying tool, captured by placing a smartphone camera up to the eyepiece. (NOAA photo) Download

National Geodetic Survey crew members Don Breidenbach and Kendall Fancher take measurements to prepare for the construction of an adapter which will hold various survey instruments at the peak of the Washington Monument.

NGS crew members Don Breidenbach and Kendall Fancher take measurements to prepare for the construction of an adapter which will hold various survey instruments at the peak of the Washington Monument. (NOAA photo) Download

Steve Breidenbach prepares to take vertical angle and distance measurements from the Meridian Stone to the top of the Washington Monument.

NGS's Steve Breidenbach takes the vertical angle and distance measurements from the Meridian Stone to the top of the Monument. (NOAA photo) Download

Steve Breidenbach measures the vertical angle and distance to the peak of the Washington Monument.

NGS crew member Steve Breidenbach measures the vertical angle and distance to the peak of the Washington Monument. (NOAA photo) Download

The pyramidion at the top of the Washington Monument. The original inscriptions are mostly visible on all four faces, though a band of the inscriptions have been obliterated by a long-standing collar which was part of an old lightning protection system.

The pyramidion at the top of the Washington Monument. The original inscriptions are mostly visible on all four faces, though a band of the inscriptions have been obliterated by a long-standing collar which was part of an old lightning protection system. (NOAA photo) Download

Triangulation Party, Coast Geodetic Survey, occupying top of the Washington Monument, 4:00 p.m., Monday, November 19, 1934. To reach the peak, the party scaled scaffolding constructed to clean the historic structure. A theodolite—an instrument to measure angles in the horizontal and vertical planes—is visible, which was placed on a specially constructed stand over the apex or pyramidian.

Triangulation Party, Coast Geodetic Survey, occupying top of the Washington Monument, 4:00 p.m., Monday, November 19, 1934. To reach the peak, the party scaled scaffolding constructed to clean the historic structure. A theodolite—an instrument to measure angles in the horizontal and vertical planes—is visible, which was placed on a specially constructed stand over the apex or pyramidian. (National Park Service photo) Download

Washington Monument, the Early Years. An early construction shot of the Washington Monument.

An early construction shot of the Washington Monument. (National Park Service photo) Download

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