Download the Android app!

Cartography Unit 3: Basic Geodesy25 terms wiuhighwayman TEACHER

Like this study set?

Create a free Maybe later
Create a free account to account
save it.

Antipodal point A point on the surface of a sphere that is

diametrically opposite another point. For example,
the geographic north pole is the antipodal point of
the geographic south pole.

Cartesian coordinate A system of locating a point on a plane by a pair of

system numerical coordinates, which are calculated as
distances from two fixed perpendicular lines (axes).

Decartes, Ren French philosopher and mathematician who devised

the coordinate system that serves as the basis for
earth coordinate geometry.

Decimal degrees An expression of latitude and longitude coordinates

as decimal fractions. Longitude is always listed first
and the hemisphere of the coordinate value is
represented by the value being positive (eastern
hemisphere for longitude, northern hemisphere for
latitude) or negative (western hemisphere for
longitude, southern hemisphere for latitude).

DMS An expression of latitude and longitude coordinates

as degrees, minutes and seconds. Latitude is always
listed first and the hemisphere of the coordinate

value is represented by a letter - N or S for latitude;

 value is represented by a letter - N or S for latitude;
E or W for Longitude. For example: 40 27' 31"N, 90
40' 15"W

Ellipsoid The three-dimensional analogue of an ellipse. A

more accurate representation of the shape of the
earth than a sphere, it is used to define geographic
coordinate systems and map projections. The polar
axis is shorter than the equatorial axis.

Equator A parallel of reference that is equidistant from the

poles and defines the origin (0 value) of latitude
values

Eratosthenes Librarian of the Alexandrian library in the third

century BC. The first person to accurately calculate
the circumference of the earth as well as the tilt of
the earth's axis.

Flattening A measure of the compression of a sphere to form

an ellipsoid - indicated by the ration of the
semimajor axis minus the semiminor axis to the
semimajor axis: f = (a-b)/a

Geodesy A branch of earth sciences, is the scientific discipline

that deals with the measurement and representation
of the Earth

Geographic North The point in the northern hemisphere where the

earth's axis of rotation meets its surface. Also called
the North Pole.

Geographic South The point in the southern hemisphere where the

earth's axis of rotation meets its surface. Also called
the South Pole.

Geoid A representation of the surface of the earth's gravity

field, which is approximately the same as mean sea
level. Unlike the sphere and ellipsoid, the surface of
the geoid is irregular (although it is smoother than
the earth's physical surface).

Graticule The network of longitude and latitude lines that

allows every location on the earth to be specified
 allows every location on the earth to be specified
by coordinate values.

Great circle Also called an orthodrome. Any circle produced by

the intersection of the surface of a sphere and a flat
plane that passes through the center of the sphere.
All great circles bisect the sphere. Examples include
the equator and pairs of meridians (e.g., 0 and
180).

Greenwich, England Site of the Royal Observatory, through which the

Prime Meridian runs.

Latitude A geographic coordinate that specifies the north-

south position of a point on the earth's surface. The
value of a line of latitude is determined by its angle,
ranging from 0 at the equator to 90at either pole.
Also called parallels, latitude lines are east-west
running circles parallel to the equator.

Longitude A geographic coordinate that specifies the east-

west position of a point on the earth's surface. The
value of a line of latitude is determined by its angle,
ranging from 0 at the Prime Meridian to 180. Also
called meridians, longitude lines converge at either
pole.

Loxodrome Also called a rhumb line. A line crossing all

meridians of longitude at the same angle - a line
with the same compass bearing. All parallels and
meridians are loxodromes.

Magnetic North The northern pole of the earth's magnetic field.

Because the Earth's magnetic field changes, the
location of the North Magnetic Pole moves over
time.

Polar flattening Compression of the earth's shape to an ellipsoid

where the polar axis (axis connecting the poles) is
shorter than the equatorial axis (diameter at the
equator). Isaac Newton postulated that the amount

of flattening of an ellipsoid depends on the density,

 of flattening of an ellipsoid depends on the density,
the balance of gravitation force, and centrifugal
force.

Prime Meridian The line of longitude defined to be 0. An

international conference in 1884, the prime meridian
was assigned to its current position, a line running
through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich,
England.

Sexagesimal scale A numeral system with 60 as its base. It is used in

earth coordinate geometry where degrees are the
unit of measurement. There are 360 degrees in a
circle, 60 minutes of arc in a degree, and 60
arcseconds in a minute.

Small circle Any circle formed when a flat plane intersects a

sphere anywhere but through the center of the
sphere. A small circle will not separate the sphere
into equal halves. Examples include any line of
latitude not the equator.

Sphere A model of the earth as a perfect sphere for the

purposes of defining geographic coordinate
systems and map projections. While the earth is not
spherical, at small scales, the differences between a
sphere and an ellipsoid are not detectable on a
map.