Datums

If you want data from different sources to line up, you

may need to convert them from one projection to

another.
To do this, you need to know not only what projection

was used for each dataset, but also details about the
reference system (i.e. size and shape of the spheroid,
position of its centre, displacement of the false origin,
etc.).
This information is referred to as the datum.

Exercise
In Which Quarter These Lon/Lats Are Located

43 N, 21E
78S, 111W
4S, 23E
15N, 29E

Map Projection
3D surface is transformed to create a flat surface
This transformation, usually by a mathematical
conversion, is commonly referred to as map projection
A 2D surface is imagined around the Earth and is
referred as projection surface

Map Projection:
Amapprojectionisa
mathematicalformulafor
representingthecurvedsurface
oftheearthonaflatmap.
wide variety of projections
possible
each projection will create a
different type of distortion

Distortions
Distortions are inherent in maps
The Earth is round, a map is flat

distance
area
shape
direction

Classes of Map projections

Physical models:
Cylindrical projections
(cylinder)
- Tangent case
- Secant case
Conic Projections (cone)
- Tangent case
- Secant case
Azimuthal or planar
projections (plane)
- Tangent case
- Secant case

Distortion properties:

Conformal (preserves local

angles and shape)

Equal area or equivalent

(area)

Equidistant (scale along a

center line)

Azimuthal (directions)

Map Projections Types

Planar Projection

Conical Projection

Cylindrical Projection

14

Conic Projection
The most simple conic projection is
tangent to the globe along a line of latitude
This is called a standard parallel for a
projection
The meridians are projected onto the
conical surface, meeting at the apex
latitudes are projected as rings onto the
conical surface

Cylindrical projections

Cylindrical projections may also have one line of tangency or two

lines of secancy around the globe.

Mercator projection is one of the most common cylindrica

projections, and the Equator is usually its line of tangency.

Meridians are Geometrically projected onto the cylindrical surface

and latitude parallels are mathematically projected, producing
graticular angles of 90 degrees.
lines used for tangency or secancy.

The cylinder can be 'cut' along, any meridian to

produce the final cylindrical projection.
The meridians are equally spaced, while the
spacing between parallel lines of latitudes
increases toward the poles.

This projection is conformal and display true

direction along straight lines.

Coordinate Systems
Geographic vs. Projected
Geographic Coordinate Systems
(GCS)
Location measured from curved surface
of the earth
Measurement units latitude and longitude
Degrees-minutes-seconds (DMS)
Decimal degrees (DD) or radians (rad)

Projected Coordinate Systems (PCS)

Flat surface
Units can be in meters, feet, inches
Distortions will occur, except for very fine
scale maps

Geographic Coordinate System

Parallels - east to west 0 at the Equator (0 -90 )

Meridians north to south 0 at the Prime Meridian (0 -180 )
Latitude and longitude are angular measurements made from
the center of the earth to a point on the surface of the earth

Geographic Coordinate Systems

Not uniform:
Distances and
measures are not
accurate

Meridians Converge
Near Poles
1 longitude:

Distance of 60 long at equator

vs.
Distance of 60 long at 40 latitude

Original Image Source: www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/DistanceLatLong.html

@ Equator= 111 km
@ 60 lat. = 55.8 km
@ 90 lat. = 0km

Commonly Used Map Projections

Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)

State Plane Coordinate (SPC) System

Lambert conformal conic projection

Universal Transverse Mercator

(UTM) Coordinate System
UTM system is transverse-secant cylindrical projection, dividing the surface of the
Earth into 6 degree zones with a central meridian in the center of the zone. each one of
zones is a different Transverse Mercator projection that is slightly rotated to use a
different meridian. UTM zone numbers designate 6 degree longitudinal strips
extending from 80 degrees South latitude to 84 degrees North latitude. UTM is a
conformal projection, so small features appear with the correct shape and scale is the
same in all directions. (all distances, directions, shapes, and areas are reasonably
accurate ). Scale factor is 0.9996 at the central meridian and at most 1.0004 at the
edges of the zones.
UTM coordinates are in meters, making it easy to make accurate calculations of short
distances between points (error is less than 0.04%)
Used in USGS topographic map, and digital elevation models (DEMs)
Although the distortions of the UTM system are small, they are too great for some
accurate surveying. zone boundaries are also a problem in many applications, because
they follow arbitrary lines of longitude rather than boundaries between jurisdictions.

Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)

60 zones
6o wide
Defined by central meridian (example: 120 W)

Preserves direction and small shapes

(conformal projection).
Extent is from 84N to 80 S.

84 N

80 S

Secant!

UTM Zone Numbers

Projection Aspects

cylindrical

conical

planar

State Plane Coordinate

The State Plane System
Coordinate System
(SPCS) is only defined
and used in the United
States
Like UTM, it is divided
into zones, but here
zones are fully
contained within states
Some larger states
contain multiple zones
Original units are feet,
many states are now
switching to meters