Maps and LatitudeLongitude How do Maps and Globes

Maps and Latitude/Longitude

How do Maps and Globes represent Earths Surface? n n Show the size, shape, and location of the Earth’s surface features Are drawn to scale and they use symbols to represent topography and other features on Earth’s surface.

Latitude & Longitude n n n Because the Earth is a sphere we measure locations in degrees. 360 degrees in a circle ½ circle = 180 degrees

Latitude n n Lines of latitude travel east and west. They measure distances North and South of the Equator = 0 degrees Lat. A Latitude # may not be larger then 90° N or S

What is Polaris? n n n A star that is located directly above the Earth’s northern axis of rotation. Used as a navigational tool for 1000’s of years. If you are to travel straight towards Polaris in the sky you will eventually end up very close to the North Pole.

Latitude and Polaris? n n All observers in the Northern Hemisphere can see Polaris in the night time sky. The latitude of the observer is equal to the angle of Polaris above the northern horizon. As an observer travels closer to the equator the angle of Polaris gets smaller. As latitude decreases = angle of polaris decreases

Longitude Lines of longitude travel from North to South. n They measure angles East and West from the Prime Meridian (O degrees) which runs through Greenwich England. n No longitude angle can be larger then 180° n

Lines of Longitude

The Prime Meridian n Meridian is another term for longitude lines The Prime (first) Meridian runs through Greenwich, England Prime Meridian = 0 degrees

Rules…. n n n Latitude lines may also be called parallels. Latitude lines never touch. Latitude must be labeled as degrees North or South (except for the equator). Longitude must be labeled as degrees east or west (except for the Prime Meridian and 180°). The 180 o Meridian is the International Date Line.

Where’s Waldo?

Microscopic- Lat. And Long. n n To be very precise in locating point on a map Lat. And Long degrees can be divided into Minutes (‘) and Seconds (“). Every degree Lat. Or Long. Can be divided into 60 minutes (‘) and every minute can be subdivided into 60 seconds (“)

Where is Arlington High School? n n 41 40’ 25” N Lat 73 47’ 49” W Long.

n n n Other Important Lines: Earth’s Tilt = 23. 5 ° Tropic of Cancer = 23. 5°N Tropic of Capricorn = 23. 5°S Any location between these latitudes is considered to be within the “tropics”.

Solar Noon n Solar Noon is when the sun is at it’s highest point in the sky for a certain location. Locations on the same longitude have the same solar noon time. Locations on the same latitude have different solar noon times.

Time Travel…. . n n n As a person travels East on the globe they must add 1 hour per every 15 degrees Longitude they travel. As a person travels west on the globe they must subtract 1 hour per every 15 degrees Longitude they travel. This “time travel” is also known as time zones. A time zone changes by 1 hour per every 15 degrees longitude.