Terrestrial Coordinate System

Earth

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Learning Objectives

Comprehend the terrestrial coordinate system Comprehend the location of positions on the earth using latitude and longitude

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Coordinate System

The earth is an oblate spheroid, but for navigational purposes it is considered a perfect sphere with a circumference of 21,600 NM. On a perfect sphere at rest, all points on the surface are similar; reference points must be designated in order to make any type of measurements.
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Contd

When rotation is introduced, the spin axis introduces two reference points, the north and south poles. The spin axis of the earth, together with its poles, constitutes the basic reference on which the terrestrial coordinate system is based.

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Great Circle

Great Circle: the intersection of a plane passing through two points on the surface of the earth and the center of the earth. Some key points:
A great circle is the largest circle that can be drawn on the face of the earth. A great circle represents the shortest distance between two points on the surface of the earth.

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Great Circle

Equator Meridian

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Small Circle

Small Circle- any circle not passing through the center of the earth.

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Contd

Meridians of longitude are great circles

Parallels of latitude are small circles (with the exception of the equator)

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Latitude and Longitude

The equator divides the earth into the northern and southern hemispheres and is the reference for parallels of latitude. The prime meridian passes through the original position of the Royal Greenwich Observatory, and it serves as the reference for meridians of longitude.
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Longitude

Meridians are divided into two halves:

upper lower

Prime Meridian
upper ,is known as the Greenwich meridian, 0000 meridian lower is the 180th meridian

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Longitude

The angular distance between the Greenwich meridian and the meridian passing through a particular point on the earths surface. Longitude is measured in degrees of arc from 0 to 180 degrees, either east or west.

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Longitude

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Latitude

The angular distance between the Equator and the parallel passing through a particular point on the earths surface. Latitude is measured in degrees of arc from 0 to 90 degrees, either north or south.

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Latitude

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Latitude & Longitude

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Measurement of Distance

Since latitude lines are parallel, the length of one degree of latitude is the same everywhere on earth (60 NM). As the distance from the equator increases, the length in miles of one degree of longitude decreases, so NEVER use the longitude scale to determine distances on a chart.
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Measurement of Distance

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Nautical Mile

A nautical mile is a unit of measurement used at sea. It is the arc of a meridian subtended by an angle of one minute at the centre of curvature. The actual measurements are 1843 metres (6046 ft) at the equator and 1862 metres (6108 ft) at the poles. However, the navigator at sea uses the figure 1852 metres (6080 ft).
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Summary
Topic 1 To understand the terrestrial coordinate system

To determine the location of positions on the earth using latitude and longitude
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