# Is it possible to compute the geo distance for an array of sub objects containing a geo point **URL:** \ **Category:** Elasticsearch\ **Created:** [September 17, 2013, 12:42am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/is-it-possible-to-compute-the-geo-distance-for-an-array-of-sub-objects-containing-a-geo-point/13634 "2013-09-17T00:42:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nicktackes](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/nicktackes/32/1174_2.png) [@nicktackes](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/nicktackes)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 12:42am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/is-it-possible-to-compute-the-geo-distance-for-an-array-of-sub-objects-containing-a-geo-point/13634/1 "2013-09-17T00:42:19Z")
I have an index describing clinical trials. Often a clinical trial has multiple locations that a patient can receive care at. Ideally, I would like to compute the distance from a user's current geolocation to each of the trial locations, so that I can display the distance to the closest location pertaining to the trial. I attempted to used a script\_field in order to do this. I created a gist that creates my simple index and populates some data and then attempts to calculate the shortest distance from current location. Any insight as to what I can do to resolve this issue is greatly appreciated. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "elasticsearch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com). For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out). ---
**Author:** ![nicktackes](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/nicktackes/32/1174_2.png) [@nicktackes](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/nicktackes)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 12:53am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/is-it-possible-to-compute-the-geo-distance-for-an-array-of-sub-objects-containing-a-geo-point/13634/2 "2013-09-17T00:53:52Z")
one other note. I cant sort by distance. I sort based on a custom scoring algorithm that determines which clinical trials match a patients condition. On Monday, September 16, 2013 5:42:19 PM UTC-7, Nick Tackes wrote: > I have an index describing clinical trials. Often a clinical trial has > multiple locations that a patient can receive care at. Ideally, I would > like to compute the distance from a user's current geolocation to each of > the trial locations, so that I can display the distance to the closest > location pertaining to the trial. > > I attempted to used a script\_field in order to do this. > I created a gist that creates my simple index and populates some data and > then attempts to calculate the shortest distance from current location. > Any insight as to what I can do to resolve this issue is greatly > appreciated. > > [clinical trials with multiple locations. Attempt to find the distance from your current geo location to the closest trial location · GitHub](https://gist.github.com/nicktackes/6588662) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "elasticsearch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com). For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out). ---
**Author:** ![Clinton\_Gormley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@Clinton\_Gormley](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Clinton_Gormley)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/is-it-possible-to-compute-the-geo-distance-for-an-array-of-sub-objects-containing-a-geo-point/13634/3 "2013-09-17T16:34:10Z")
Hi Nick You could use `sort_mode: min` in your \_geo\_distance sort clause to get the minimum distance. Just pull the value out of the `sort` key in the search results. (Note: it SHOULD be called "sort\_mode" but is actually called "mode" in released versions of ES. I've just fixed that in master) See: [gist:6596872 · GitHub](https://gist.github.com/clintongormley/6596872) clint On 17 September 2013 02:53, Nick Tackes [ntackes@gmail.com](mailto:ntackes@gmail.com) wrote: > one other note. I cant sort by distance. I sort based on a custom > scoring algorithm that determines which clinical trials match a patients > condition. > > On Monday, September 16, 2013 5:42:19 PM UTC-7, Nick Tackes wrote: > > > I have an index describing clinical trials. Often a clinical trial has > > multiple locations that a patient can receive care at. Ideally, I would > > like to compute the distance from a user's current geolocation to each of > > the trial locations, so that I can display the distance to the closest > > location pertaining to the trial. > > > > I attempted to used a script\_field in order to do this. > > I created a gist that creates my simple index and populates some data and > > then attempts to calculate the shortest distance from current location. > > Any insight as to what I can do to resolve this issue is greatly > > appreciated. > > > > [https://gist.github.com/\*\*nicktackes/6588662](https://gist.github.com/**nicktackes/6588662)[https://gist.github.com/nicktackes/6588662](https://gist.github.com/nicktackes/6588662) > > > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > > "elasticsearch" group. > > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > > email to [elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com). > > For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out). -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "elasticsearch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com). For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out). ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/original/3X/1/a/1ac57faf039f6b580b3f104ef42a2a89e41014de.png) [@system](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 2:15am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/is-it-possible-to-compute-the-geo-distance-for-an-array-of-sub-objects-containing-a-geo-point/13634/4 "2017-07-06T02:15:58Z")