Environmental Monitoring
& Technology Series
Navigation &
Mapping
For Technicians
Study module 3
cffet.net/env
Navigation & mapping for technicians
Study Module 3
Assessment details
Purpose
Upon successful completion of this study module you will have an understanding of the
different types of reference systems, datum’s, coordinate systems and specific notations
used in navigation as well as being able to perform simple unit conversions.
Instructions
◗ Read the theory section to understand the topic.
◗ Complete the Student Declaration below prior to starting.
◗ Attempt to answer the questions and perform any associated tasks.
◗ Email, phone, book appointment or otherwise ask your teacher for help if required.
◗ When completed, submit task by email using rules found on last page.
Student declaration
I have read, agree to comply with and declare that;
◗ I know how to get assistance from my assessor if needed…
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◗ I have read and understood the SAG for this subject/unit…
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◗ I know the due date for this assessment task…
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◗ I understand how to complete this assessment task…
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◗ I understand how this assessment task is weighted…
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Details
Student name
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Assessor
Marker’s use only
Class code
N&M
Assessment name
Study module 3
Due Date
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Total Marks Available
36
Marks Gained
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Final Mark (%)
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Marker’s Initials
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Date Marked
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Weighting
This is one of twelve formative assessments that make up 40% of
the overall mark for this subject
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Study Module 3
Geographic Coordinate Systems (GCS)
Once the datum is built, all we have to do is continue with the lines around the Earth so that
a ‘criss-cross’ pattern is made. But before we do that, we need to clear up the minefield of
terminology, units, symbols and notation that is used when working with the GCS.
Prime meridian and parallel
Longitude – the meridians
In the geocentric ellipsoid/spheroid system, vertical lines, or north–south lines, are lines of
equal longitude, or meridians. The line of zero longitude is called the prime meridian.
Longitude values are measured relative to the prime meridian. They range from –180°W
when traveling west to +180°E when traveling east. For most GCSs, the prime meridian is
the longitude that passes through Greenwich, England.
Figure 2.8 - Definition and display of the longitude (meridian) system used in GCS. The prime
meridian is the Greenwich Meridian, which is set to 0°.
Latitude – the parallels
Horizontal lines are referred to as lines of latitude, or parallels. The reference line of
latitude midway between the poles is called the equator. It defines the line of zero latitude.
Latitude values are measured relative to the equator and range from –90°S at the South
Pole to +90°N at the North Pole.
Latitudinal lines are called parallels because they never converge on each other unlike the
longitudinal meridians which converge to a singularity at each of the poles. Also, the
circumference of parallels gets shorter toward the poles, but lines of longitude are all
equally long.
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Study Module 3
Figure 2.9 - Definition and display of the latitude (parallel) system used in GCS. The prime parallel is
the Equator, which is set to 0°.
The Conjugate Graticule
When Earth is viewed with both the latitudes and longitudes it forms a grid pattern known
as a graticule. The origin of the graticule (0,0) is defined by where the equator and prime
meridian intersect. It is the resulting graticule that allows for the defining of a place on the
surface of the Earth. This can be seen in Figure 2.10 below. If the prime meridian is at
Greenwich, then Australia, which is south of the equator and east of Greenwich, has
negative latitude values and positive longitude values.
Figure 2.10 - Earth’s GCS conjugate graticule resulting from the intersection of Latitudes and
Longitudes.
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Study Module 3
Units of measure, notation & symbols
The whole coordinate world uses a variety of notations and symbols to portray information,
some of which is confusing because various fields of study use different notation and in
some cases use the same notation but in reverse, so, before we start, we need to identify
what all the symbols mean.
Latitude and longitude are the traditional reference terms used to describe the position on
Earth. The terms come from antiquity, as does there meaning, but remember that Latitudes
are called Parallels and Longitudes are called Meridians. A point is referenced by its latitude
(phi, ) and longitude (lambda, ) values. Latitude and longitude are angles measured from
the earth's center to a point on the earth's surface.
Common coordinate notations
The Cardinal Notation (North, South, East, West)
This is the N, E, S, W format that the layperson is familiar with. Traditionally, the latitudelongitude system is described by dividing the Earth into ‘quarters’. If we view the Earth side
on, then the following conventions apply;
◗ the reference for latitude is the Equator (0°)
◗ the reference for longitude is the Greenwich Meridian (0°)
◗ the top is the North
◗ the bottom is the South
◗ moving to the left is designated as West
◗ moving to the right is designated as East
Assuming that the Greenwich Meridian is the reference point for longitude and is set to be
0° then if we were to move to the ‘left’, we would be moving in a westerly direction, and if
moving to the ‘right’, an easterly direction
The Sign Notation (-90° to +90° and -180° to +180°)
Although the N, E, S, W notation may be more familiar, or even more natural to you, you
should always work with the Sign Notation as the computational and calculation side of
things becomes (nearly) impossible with the letters used in the cardinal notation.
Because the prime reference lines (Equator and Greenwich Meridian) travel the
circumference of the Earth, their intersection creates a natural ‘quartering’ of the Earth,
with each prime dividing the Earth into halves, or Hemispheres.
◗ The Equator divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemisphere
◗ North of the Equator ranges from 0° to +90° & the South ranges from 0° to -90°
◗ The Greenwich Meridian divides the Earth into Eastern and Western hemispheres
◗ West (left) of the Greenwich Meridian ranges from 0° to -180°, East from 0° to +180°
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Study Module 3
So where does that leave us? You will need to be fluent in reading and applying both
notations as they will both be prevalent in the workplace (or at least when undertaking the
application of navigational techniques in the real world.
Notation formats
The angles are measured in degrees. Latitude and longitude values are traditionally
expressed either in degrees (°), arc minutes (′), and arc seconds (″) (or more simply as just
DMS), but there are other formats commonly used in the digital age. All the formats are
listed below;
◗ Degrees, minutes, seconds
DMS
dd°mm’ss”
◗ Degrees, decimal minutes
DMM
dd°mm.00’
◗ Decimal degrees
DD
dd.0000°
Conventions for use of the Cardinal and Sign notation
When you write a coordinate down, whether it is in Cardinal or Sign notation, we use the
following convention;
Latitude precedes Longitude
Example
Consider the following positions and note how the notations change using the different
systems;
City
Cardinal
Signed
Quadrant
Sydney
33°49’27”S 150°53’33”E
-33°49’27” +150°53’33”
SE,
-+
Tokyo
35°41’28”N 139°41’29”E
+35°41’28” +139°41’29”
NE,
++
Washington
38°53’46”N 77°02’12”W
+38°53’46” -77°02’12”
NW, +-
Rio D.J.
22°54’13”N 43°12’34”W
-22°54’13” -43°12’34”
SW, --
The lat/long system of reference is described as hexagesimal, as it uses divisions of 60 (an
ancient Babylonian system of measure). Our time format is similar for the minutes and
seconds;
Arc Format
dd:mm:ss,
where dd = 360 degrees, mm = 60 arc minutes and ss = 60 arc seconds
Time format
hh:mm:ss
where hh = 24 hours, mm = 60 minutes and ss = 60 seconds
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Cartesian coordinate system
Unlike the latitude-longitude system, the Cartesian model use x-y-z reference system where;
◗ X is latitude
◗ Y is longitude
◗ Z is altitude
Although used extensively in map projections, the Cartesian system is not used as a practical
reference system for the GCS, and is only used to simplify the mathematical transformations
of a datum when changing the datum to another spatial reference system.
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Study Module 3
Assessment task
After reading the theory above, answer the questions below. Note that;

Marks are allocated to each question.

Keep answers to short paragraphs only, no essays.

Make sure you have access to the references (last page)

If a question is not referenced, use the supplied notes for answers
a) Vertical (up-down) reference lines have two common names. What are they? 2 mk
Type your answer here
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b) Horizontal (left-right) reference lines have two common names. What are they? 2 mk
Type your answer here
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c) Whee is the physical location of the prime vertical reference line? 1 mk
Type you answer here
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d) In your own words, describe the difference between a datum and the Geographic
Coordinate System (GCS). 4 mk
Type your answer here
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e) What positional information does a longitude describe? 1 mk
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Navigation & mapping for technicians
Study Module 3
Type your answer here
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f) What positional information does a latitude describe? 1 mk
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g) Longitudes measure from -180° to +180°. Considering the Earth is nearly spherical, why
don’t latitudes share the same measurements? 3 mk
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h) What is the Conjugate Graticule? 4 mk
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i) Describe the difference between the Cardinal and Sign notations. 4 mk
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j) What is the convention on how to write coordinates? 1 mk
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Navigation & mapping for technicians
Study Module 3
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k) What is a Cartesian Coordinate System? 2 mk
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l) What is the Cartesian Coordinate system typically used for? 1 mk
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m) With reference to Figures 2.8 and 2.9, as well as page 4, explain how latitudes and
longitudes are created. 2 mk
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n) Consider the diagram below. For each ‘quadrant’ write both Cardinal and Sign notations
that would be used to describe a location in each quadrant. 8 mk
Click here to enter text.
1)
2)
3)
4)
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Navigation & mapping for technicians
Study Module 3
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Navigation & mapping for technicians
Study Module 3
Assessment & submission rules
Answers
◗ Attempt all questions and tasks
◗ Write answers in the text-fields provided
Submission
◗ Use the documents ‘Save As…’ function to save the document to your computer using
the file name format of;
name-classcode-assessmentname
Note that class code and assessment code are on Page 1 of this document.
◗ email the document back to your teacher
Penalties
◗ If this assessment task is received greater than seven (7) days after the due date (located
on the cover page), it may not be considered for marking without justification.
Results
◗ Your submitted work will be returned to you within 3 weeks of submission by email fully
graded with feedback.
◗ You have the right to appeal your results within 3 weeks of receipt of the marked work.
Problems?
If you are having study related or technical problems with this document, make sure you
contact your assessor at the earliest convenience to get the problem resolved. The name of
your assessor is located on Page 1, and the contact details can be found at;
www.cffet.net/env/contacts
Resources & references
1. These notes
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