Engineering & Technology / Aerospace Engineering
Computing Geodesics on Two Dimensional Surfaces
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Computing Geodesics on Two Dimensional Surfaces
Jesse Klang
May 2005
Abstract
Methods for finding geodesic equations on surfaces will be presented without
assumption of prior knowledge of differential geometry. Basic definitions and theorems
will be presented and employed in computations. Techniques will include hand
computation as well as m-files for Matlab assisted approaches. Examples and
applications of geodesics will be presented with use of Matlab.
Introduction:
A geodesic is the real world analog to a straight line. Where a straight line on a
flat piece of paper minimizes the distance between two points, a geodesic minimizes the
distance between two points on any surface; be it flat or not. Another characteristic of a
geodesic is that it describes a non-accelerated path relative to the surface on which it
travels. A path with such characteristics is desirable to find in applications ranging from
aerospace engineering to navigation to road construction.
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Engineering & Technology / Aerospace Engineering
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