Latitude
The latitude of the Earth gives the distance north or south of the equator.[1] It is measured in degrees. Latitude is represented by the Greek letter phi, [math]\displaystyle{ \phi\,\! }[/math]. It is usually used along with a measurement of longitude in order to pinpoint a location on Earth.
The equator is numbered 0 degrees. Everything north or south of the equator is designated either as north latitude or south latitude. The north pole is 90 degrees north, and the south pole is 90 degrees south.[2] The Antarctic Circle, Tropic of Capricorn, Tropic of Cancer, and Arctic Circle are all circles of latitude.
Latitude Media
Earth's graticule. The vertical lines from pole to pole are lines of constant longitude, or meridians. The circles parallel to the equator are lines of constant latitude, or parallels. The graticule shows the latitude and longitude of points on the surface. In this example meridians are spaced at 6° intervals and parallels at 4° intervals.
A perspective view of the Earth showing how latitude (\phi) and longitude (\lambda) are defined on a spherical model. The graticule spacing is 10 degrees.
The orientation of the Earth at the December solstice.
The normal (equatorial) Mercator projection on the sphere. It is truncated where y equals (plus/minus) pi (in units of earth radius, corresponding to a latitude of approximately 85 degrees. Produced using Geocart from [1]. Enhanced named parallels.
The transverse Mercator projection on the sphere. It is truncated where x equals (plus/minus) pi (in units of earth radius). Produced using Geocart from [1]. Enhanced named parallels.
A sphere of radius a compressed along the z axis to form an oblate ellipsoid of revolution.
The definition of geodetic latitude (\phi) and longitude (\lambda) on an ellipsoid. The normal to the surface does not pass through the centre, except at the equator and at the poles.
The definition of geodetic latitude (ϕ) and geocentric latitude (θ).
The definition of geodetic latitude (ϕ) and geocentric latitude (θ).
Definition of the parametric latitude (β) on the ellipsoid.
Related pages
References
- ↑ "Explanation of Latitude and Longitude". Satellite Signals Limited. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
- ↑ "latitude". National Geographic Society. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
Other websites
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