GEOGRAPHY 104 Geodesy

Geodesy & Intro to Map Projections

LECTURE 03

Geodesy (or the science of Geodetics) is the

discipline that deals with the measurement of
and representation of:
• the Earth
• it’s Gravitational field, and
Wednesday, 6:10 to 8:00pm • Geodynamic phenomena (tides, plate tectonics, etc)

Thomas Fischetti

Earth’s dimensions Measuring Earth in 247 B.C.

Figure 1.8 – Foundations of Geography

Figure 1.9 – Foundations of Geography

1
Measuring Earth 2 Three Approximations of Earth….

Sphere
Ellipsoid

Geoid

Figure 7.9 – Slocum, Chapter 7

These diagrams are exaggerations for the purposes of demonstration

GEOID Use of Sphere, Ellipsoid & Geoid

SPHERE
• Small scale maps, Countries, Continents

ELLIPSOID
• Large Scale maps of smaller areas

GEOID
• Reference surface for ground surveying of
horizontal and vertical positions

2
 Location on Earth The Origins of the Graticule

• Geographical Coordinate System or Graticule

• Latitude
• Longitude
g

Figure 7.1 – Slocum et al

Latitude Sextant
Latitude is an angular distance, North or South of the Equator measured
from the center of the earth

Figure 1.10 – Foundations of Geography

3
 Longitude Chronometer
Longitude is an angular distance, East or West of a point on the Earth’s
surface, measured from the center of the earth John Harrison’s Marine Chronometer

Invented in 1760

The “Number 4”

Figure 1.12 – Foundations of Geography

Why is flatter better? Transformation to the Plane

Better Because:

• Metric Activities

• Detail

• Portable

• Less Costly

4
 Map Projection Techniques Map Projection Techniques
Step 1
Reduce the Earth’s size to that of an imaginary globe Step 2
Project the graticule from the Cylinder

Reference Globe reference globe onto the

developable surface
A model of the earth at a reduced scale,, that is used to project
p j
the landmasses and graticule onto a flat map Cone
Developable Surface
A mathematically definable
surface onto which the land
masses and graticule are Plane
projected from the reference
globe

Figure 8.1 – Slocum, Chapter 8 Figure 8.2 – Slocum, Chapter 8

Mathematics of Map Projections Calculate Plotting Coordinates

x = R * (λ - λ о) 1. Select Longitude Value for Central Meridian

2. A value for R must be specified

y=R*ø
3. Latitude & Longitude degree values must be
converted to Radians (* π /180)
λ = Longitude Value
Ø = Latitude Value 4. Insert Values, and Solve Equation
λ о = Value of the Central Meridian
R = The Radius of the Reference Globe

5
 Mathematics of Map Projections Mathematics of Map Projections

x = 1.0 * (-1.047 – 0) = -1.047

x = R * (λ - λ о)
y = 1.0 * .698 = +.698
y = R * sin ø

Lambert Cylindrical Projection

Figure 8.5 – Slocum, Chapter 8

Mathematics of Map Projections Map Projection Characteristics

x = R * (λ - λ о) * cos ø

y=R*ø
• Class
• Case
C
• Aspect

Sinusoidal Projection

6
 Class Cylindrical Class

This refers to the overall appearance of the Cylindrical Characteristics

• Lines of longitude are straight,
graticule, once the projection process is equally spaced
complete • Lines of latitude are straight,
parallel and intersect lines of
long
g at right
g angels
g
There are three common classes:
Distinguishing Features
• Cylindrical • The spacing of the parallels
distinguishes one type of
• Conic cylindrical projection from
• Planar another

Conic Class Planar Class

Conic Characteristics
• Lines of longitude are straight
lines of equal length, radiating
from a central point (poles)
• Lines of latitude are concentric
circular arcs centered around
one of the poles
Planar Characteristics
• Lines of longitude are straight,
equally spaced, parallel lines
that radiate from the center
• Lines of latitude appear as
equally
q y spaced
p concentric
circles, centered about a point

Distinguishing Features Distinguishing Features

• “Pie-Wedge” Shape
• The angular extent of the
wedge, and the spacing of the
parallels distinguish one conic
projection from another
• Again, The spacing of the
parallels distinguishes one
type of planer projection from
another

7
 Case Tangency

The Case of a projection relates to how the

developable surface is positioned with In a tangent case of
respect to the reference globe a map projection, the
reference globe only
t
touches
h the
th
Case can be described as developable surface
• Tangent or along one line, or at
one point in the case
• Secant of the planar
projection.

Figure 8.9 – Slocum, Chapter 8

Secant Case How Case effects Distortion

A secant case of a
map projection occurs
when the
d
developmental
l t l surface
f
passes through the
reference globe,
producing two lines of
contact

Figure 8.9 – Slocum, Chapter 8 Figure 8.12 – Slocum, Chapter 8

8
 Choosing Tangent or Secant Case Aspect

The Aspect of a Projection deals with the

placement of then projections center with
respect to the earth’s surface

A projection can have one of three aspects:

1.Equatorial
2.Polar
3.Oblique

Figure 8.13 – Slocum, Chapter 8

Aspect