Latitude and Longitude
Latitude and Longitude
Some Basics
Mapping Earth
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In order to find geographic locations on
Earth, a global coordinate mapping system is used
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This is Latitude and Longitude!
Latitude
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1) Latitude is the distance NORTH or
SOUTH of the equator
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It’s measured in DEGREES on lines called
PARALLELS
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2) The distance from the equator to the poles is 90 degrees
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The latitude of the equator is 0 degrees, while that of the poles is 90 degrees
Latitude
Latitude
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The tropics (Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of
Capricorn) are located 23.5 degrees NORTH
(N) and SOUTH (S) of the EQUATOR
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The Arctic and Antarctic circles are 66.5 degrees from the EQUATOR
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Washingtonville (your home) is located about 41 degrees NORTH (N) latitude
Latitude
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3) On a clear night, latitude may be determined by finding the ALTITUDE of
Polaris
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In the NORTHERN HEMISPHERE, the number of degrees that Polaris is above the horizon (altitude) is the SAME as the observer’s latitude!
Latitude
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4) On a clear night, latitude can be determined from the
ALTITUDE OF
POLARIS by use of an instrument called a
SEXTANT
Finding Polaris
LONGITUDE
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1) Longitude is the distance EAST or WEST of the
PRIME MERIDIAN
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It’s measured in DEGREES on semi-circles called
MERIDIANS
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These circles meet at the POLES and are farthest apart at the EQUATOR
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At the equator, a degree of longitude (1/360 th of
Earth’s circumference) is equal to about 111km
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At the poles a degree of longitude is equal to 0km
Longitude
Longitude
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Starting from the Prime
Meridian (which is 0 degrees Longitude), the meridians are numbered up to 180 degrees EAST and WEST
Your home
(Washingtonville) is located about 74 degrees
WEST longitude
Lat and Long Activity..let’s Try It!
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