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Understanding Chart Projections

The document discusses different types of chart projections used to represent the spherical Earth on a flat surface. It describes three main types of projections: azimuthal, cylindrical, and conical. The Mercator projection is an example of a cylindrical projection that maps meridians and parallels as straight lines, distorting areas away from the equator. The Lambert conformal conic projection is an example of a conical projection that balances shape, area, and directional distortions better than the Mercator. Both projections have advantages and limitations for different uses like marine or air navigation.

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35 views4 pages

Understanding Chart Projections

The document discusses different types of chart projections used to represent the spherical Earth on a flat surface. It describes three main types of projections: azimuthal, cylindrical, and conical. The Mercator projection is an example of a cylindrical projection that maps meridians and parallels as straight lines, distorting areas away from the equator. The Lambert conformal conic projection is an example of a conical projection that balances shape, area, and directional distortions better than the Mercator. Both projections have advantages and limitations for different uses like marine or air navigation.

Uploaded by

alihassantoor
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Chart Projection

& its Types

Construction of Nautical Charts

Representing a spherical surface


on a flat surface difficult.

Always some distortion in:

Distance

Direction

Shape or Area

Using Gores

Flat map cut and bent to spherical surface

Measuring direction or distance difficult

We use “projections” to make charts

Chart Projection Goals

Balance and minimize distortions.

Create a representation that preserves:

Direction

Distance

Shape and Area

Angular relationships (conformal)

All projection methods have limitations.

Chart Projection

Transfer of information from a globe on to a flat paper chart.

This technique involved using a light source within the globe to project longitude/latitude graticule on to
a flat sheet of paper.

Features of Charts

they are more compact and easier to store.


they readily accommodate an enormous range of scales.

they are viewed easily on computer displays.

they can facilitate measuring properties of the terrain being mapped.

they can show larger portions of the Earth's surface at once.

Classification of Projection

Chart projection classification is based on the type of projection surface onto which the globe is
conceptually projected.

Azimuthal Projection

Cylindrical Projection

Conical Projection

Azimuthal Projection

produced by placing a flat sheet of paper against a point on earth.

Properties of Azimuthal Projection

The center of this projection is the only point without distortion.

Great circles through the central point are represented by straight lines on the map.

Usually these projections also have radial symmetry in the scales and hence in the distortions

Cylindrical Projection

cylinder is wrapped around a sphere (the globe).

Then cylinder is unwrapped into a flat surface, yielding a rectangular-shaped map

Properties of Cylindrical Projection

Meridians are mapped to equally spaced vertical lines.

Circles of latitude (parallels) are mapped to horizontal lines.

Example of Cylindrical Projection is Mercator Chart.

Conical Projection

Cone is wrapped around a sphere (the globe), and the details of the globe are projected onto the
cylindrical surface.
Then, the cylinder is unwrapped into a flat surface.

Properties of Conical Projection

meridians appear as straight lines converging toward this same point.

Some conic projections are conformal (shape preserving).

some are equal-area (size preserving).

Example is Lambert conical Chart.

Mercator’s Cylindrical Chart


&
Lambert Conical Chart

Mercator Chart

Developed in 1569 by Flemish geographer.

Earth’s surface projected onto a cylinder.

Cylinder tangent to the equator.

Distorts areas – esp. at poles.

Properties of Mercator Chart

Orthomorphic.

Graticules are rectangular.

Straight line track on Mercator Chart is a Rhumb line or loxodrome.

Great Circle are curved line.

Distortions of shapes and areas increases away from equator.

Mercator Chart

Usage of Mercator Chart

Its mainly use in Marine Navigation rather air Navigation.

Lambert Conical Chart

Lambert conformal conic is one of several map projection systems developed by Johann Heinrich
Lambert, an 18th century Swiss mathematician, physicist, philosopher, and astronomer
 Lambert   conformal   conic chart attains such a near approach to both directional and distance
conformality as to justify its being called a conformal   projection. 

Lambert Conical Chart

Properties of Lambert Conical Chart

Great Circles are approximated by straight line.

Rhumb line appears as Curved line.

Minimizes distortions.

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