Latitude and Latitude and LongitudeLongitude

Some BasicsSome Basics

Mapping EarthMapping Earth

► In order to find geographic locations In order to find geographic locations on Earth, a global coordinate mapping on Earth, a global coordinate mapping system is usedsystem is used

►This is Latitude and Longitude!This is Latitude and Longitude!

LatitudeLatitude

►1) Latitude is the distance 1) Latitude is the distance NORTHNORTH or or SOUTHSOUTH of the equator of the equator

► It’s measured in It’s measured in DEGREESDEGREES on lines on lines called called PARALLELSPARALLELS

►2) The distance from the equator to the 2) The distance from the equator to the poles is poles is 9090 degrees degrees

►The latitude of the equator is The latitude of the equator is 00 degrees, degrees, while that of the poles is while that of the poles is 9090 degrees degrees

LatitudeLatitude

LatitudeLatitude

►The tropics (Tropic of Cancer and The tropics (Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn) are located Tropic of Capricorn) are located 23.523.5 degrees NORTH (degrees NORTH (NN) and SOUTH () and SOUTH (SS) of ) of the the EQUATOREQUATOR

►The Arctic and Antarctic circles are The Arctic and Antarctic circles are 66.566.5 degrees from the degrees from the EQUATOREQUATOR

►Washingtonville (your home) is located Washingtonville (your home) is located about about 4141 degrees NORTH ( degrees NORTH (NN) latitude) latitude

LatitudeLatitude

►3) On a clear night, latitude may be 3) On a clear night, latitude may be determined by finding the determined by finding the ALTITUDEALTITUDE of Polarisof Polaris

► In the NORTHERN HEMISPHERE, the In the NORTHERN HEMISPHERE, the number of degrees that Polaris is number of degrees that Polaris is above the horizon (altitude) is the above the horizon (altitude) is the SAME as the observer’s latitude!SAME as the observer’s latitude!

LatitudeLatitude

► 4) On a clear night, 4) On a clear night, latitude can be latitude can be determined from determined from the the ALTITUDE OF ALTITUDE OF POLARISPOLARIS by use of by use of an instrument an instrument called a called a SEXTANTSEXTANT

Finding PolarisFinding Polaris

LONGITUDELONGITUDE

► 1) Longitude is the distance 1) Longitude is the distance EASTEAST or or WESTWEST of of the the PRIME MERIDIANPRIME MERIDIAN

► It’s measured in It’s measured in DEGREESDEGREES on semi-circles on semi-circles called called MERIDIANSMERIDIANS

► These circles meet at the These circles meet at the POLESPOLES and are and are farthest apart at the farthest apart at the EQUATOREQUATOR

► At the equator, a degree of longitude (1/360At the equator, a degree of longitude (1/360thth of of Earth’s circumference) is equal to about Earth’s circumference) is equal to about 111km111km

► At the poles a degree of longitude is equal to At the poles a degree of longitude is equal to 0km0km

LongitudeLongitude

LongitudeLongitude

► Starting from the Prime Starting from the Prime Meridian (which is 0 Meridian (which is 0 degrees Longitude), the degrees Longitude), the meridians are meridians are numbered up to numbered up to 180180 degrees degrees EASTEAST and and WESTWEST

► Your home Your home (Washingtonville) is (Washingtonville) is located about located about 7474 degrees degrees WESTWEST longitudelongitude

Lat and Long Activity..let’s Lat and Long Activity..let’s Try It!Try It!

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