Chapter 4 - Map Projection
Chapter 4 - Map Projection
Chapter 4 - Map Projection
1
Goal of Projection
• Translate places on the Earth (3D) to Cartesian
coordinates (2D)
2
Map Projections
• The systematic transformation of points
on the Earth’s surface to corresponding
points on a plane surface.
– Map projections always introduce some type of
distortion
– selection of a projection is done to minimize
distortion for the particular application
Why do we need a projection?
Creating maps
– we must choose an appropriate projection for the
map to communicate effectively
– part of good cartographic design
Parallels of latitude
Lines of equal latitude on the surface of a sphere
Meridian
Lines of equal longitude
Grid
Rectangular coordinate system superimposed on a
map
Graticule
Set of parallels and meridians seen on a map
5
6
X = fx(ϕ, λ)
Y = fy(ϕ, λ)
No map projection can be made error free
These two functions should be constructed to
give minimal or negligible projection errors
The projection errors can be expressed as
differences between distances, angles or areas
on the Earth and the corresponding ones on the
map
7
MAP PROJECTION CHARACTERSTICS
Linear scale is the rate of linear element ds’, in the projection
plane and the same element on the Earth,ds:
μ = ds’/ds
If we consider the linear element along the meridian
h = ds’ϕ / dsϕ ( scale along the meridian)
If we consider the linear element along the parallels
k = ds’λ / dsλ (Scale along the parallels)
15
16
Preservation of properties
Conformal projections
• -preserve shape
• shape preserved for local (small) areas
(angular relationships are preserved at each point)
• sacrifice preservation of area away from standard point/lines
Equivalent/Equal-Area projections
• -preserve area
• all areas are correctly sized relative to one another
• sacrifices preservation of shape away from standard
point/lines
Equidistant projections
• -preserve distance
• scale is correct from one to all other points on the map, or
along all meridians
• however, between other points on map, scale is incorrect
Azimuthal projections
• -preserve direction
• azimuths (lines of true direction) from the center point of
the projection to all other points are correct
Based on the orientation of the
axis:
Normal
Transverse
Oblique
19
20
Based on secancy
Tangential
Secant
21
22
Cylinderical Map projection
23
General characteristics
• Lines of latitude and longitude intersection
at 90°
• Meridians are equidistant
• Forms a rectangular map
• Scale along the equator or standard parallel
is true
• Can have the properties of equidistance ,
conformality or equal area
• The poles are represented as lines
24
Conical Projection
25
General Characteristics
Lines of latitude and longitude are
intersecting at 90 degrees
Meridians are straight lines
Parallels are concentric circular arcs
Scale along the standard parallel is true
Can have the property of equidistance,
conformality or equal area
The pole is represented as an arc or a
point
26
Azimuthal Map Projection
27
General Characteristics
Lines of latitude and longitude are intersecting
at 90 degrees
Meridians are straight lines
Parallels are concentric circles
Forms a circular map
Scale near center is true
Can have the property of equidistance,
conformality or equal area
The pole is represented as a point
28
Mercator Projection
Regular cylindrical projection
Particularly useful for navigation since it is conformal
Course with constant azimuth (compass direction) is straight
line
Meridians of longitude are equally spaced vertical lines
intersected at right angles by straight horizontal parallels
Large area distortion specially around the pole
Projection parameters
True scale latitude
Central meridian
29
30
Transverse Mercator Projection
Conformal transverse cylindrical
projection
Central meridian and equator are
straight lines
Scale is constant along any meridian
Central meridian mapped at true
scale
31
UTM projection
• Universe Transverse Mercator
• Conformal projection (shapes are preserved)
• Cylindrical surface
• Two standard meridians
• Zones are 6 degrees of longitude wide, total of
60 zones
UTM projection
• Scale distortion is 0.9996 along the central
meridian of a zone
• There is no scale distortion along the the
standard meridians
• Scale distortion is 1.00158 at the edge of the
zone at the equator (1.6 meters in 1000
meters)
• Scale distortion gets to unacceptable levels
beyond the edges of the zones
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)
• False easting = 500 km
• False Northing = 0 for North hemisphere
• False Northing = 10000km for South hemi
• Ethiopia is in zone 36, 37, 38 and 39
• What is the central meridian?
• Central meridian = (n-30)*6 – 3
• where n is zone number
• For Zone 37 the CM is 39 E
• Ethiopia found also in North Hemisphere 34
Eastings are measured from central meridian
(with 500 km false easting for positive
coordinates) Northing measured
from the equator (with 10,000 km false northing)
39
Conic projections for mid-latitudes
True along some parallel between the poles
and equator
Cylindrical for equatorial regions
True at the equator and distortion increases
towards the poles
Azimuthal for poles
True only at their center point but distortion
is generally worst at the edges
40