Mercator projection, type of map projection introduced in 1569 by Gerardus Mercator. ... This projection is widely used for navigation charts, because any straight line on a Mercator projection map is a line of constant true bearing that enables a navigator to plot a straight-line course.
Why do sailors use the Mercator projection?
In 1569, Mercator developed a better, more accurate projection. ... His new map was a revelation, because the projection kept the latitude and longitude lines at consistent 90 degree angles . These clean angles made it easier for sailors to plot their course without constantly adjusting for mapping mistakes.
The Mercator projection was designed for use in marine navigation because of its unique property of representing any course of constant bearing as a straight segment .
What is the advantage of Mercator sailing?
Advantages of Mercator’s projection: – preserves angles and therefore also shapes of small objects – close to the equator, the distortion of lengths and areas is insignificant – a straight line on the map corresponds with a constant compass direction , it is possible to sail and fly using a constant azimuth – simple ...
What projection maps do sailors use?
The rectangular Mercator projection was first presented by the Flemish geographer and cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569. Most nautical charts use the Mercator projection, because any straight line drawn on a Mercator chart is also a line of constant course, also called a rhumb line or loxodrome.
What is wrong with the Mercator projection?
Mercator maps distort the shape and relative size of continents, particularly near the poles. ... The popular Mercator projection distorts the relative size of landmasses , exaggerating the size of land near the poles as compared to areas near the equator.
What is the Mercator projection best used for?
This projection is widely used for navigation charts , because any straight line on a Mercator projection map is a line of constant true bearing that enables a navigator to plot a straight-line course.
What is the most accurate flat map projection to use?
The lower the score, the smaller the errors and the better the map. A globe of the Earth would have an error score of 0.0. We found that the best previously known flat map projection for the globe is the Winkel tripel used by the National Geographic Society, with an error score of 4.563.
Why would a town planner use a map at the 1 24000?
Why would a town planner use a map at the 1:24,000 scale rather than a map at the 1:250,000 scale? The map at the 1:24,000 scale shows a much larger area . The map at the 1:24,000 scale is easily converted to non-metric measurements. ... The map at the 1:250,000 scale shows the town in too much detail.
What are the 3 main map projections?
This group of map projections can be classified into three types: Gnomonic projection, Stereographic projection and Orthographic projection .
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Mercator projection?
Advantage: The Mercator map projection shows the correct shapes of the continents and directions accurately . Disadvantage: The Mercator map projection does not show true distances or sizes of continents, especially near the north and south poles.
What is the difference between plane sailing and Mercator sailing?
* It is similar to plane sailing except that plane sailing is used for small distance. * In mercator sailing the d’lat is expressed in longitudinal units, which is the difference of meridianal parts. * In plane sailing the d’long is expressed in latitude units or Nautical miles.
What are the strengths of the Robinson projection?
- Almost everything is accurately represented on the projection. ...
- It replicates elements of a sphere to the average viewer. ...
- The Robinson projection minimizes distortion throughout most of the map. ...
- The Robinson projection uses normal aspects.
What are the 4 main types of map projections?
| Rank Map Projection Name Examples | 1 Cylindrical Mercator, Cassini, Equirectangular | 2 Pseudocylindrical Mollweide, Sinusoidal, Robinson | 3 Conic Lambert conformal conic, Albers conic | 4 Pseudoconical Bonne, Bottomley, Werner, American polyconic |
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What are the 4 types of nautical charts?
- General charts: – Drawn at a scale between 1: 500,000 – 1: 5,000,000. ...
- Route charts: – Drawn at a scale between 1: 100,000 – 1: 500,000. ...
- Coast charts: – Drawn at a scale between 1: 50,000 – 1: 75,000; ...
- Plans:
What is the Robinson projection used for?
The Robinson projection is unique. Its primary purpose is to create visually appealing maps of the entire world . It is a compromise projection; it does not eliminate any type of distortion, but it keeps the levels of all types of distortion relatively low over most of the map.
