Latitude: Difference between revisions
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'''Latitude''', on [[Earth]] or another planetary body, is the [[angular distance]] north and south of the [[equator]], measured in [[degree (angle)|degrees]]. The [[small circle (geometry)]] formed by the collection of points with the same latitude is often called a '''parallel''' The latitude of the equator is 0 degrees, while north and south poles are 90 degrees north latitude and 90 degrees south latitude, respectively.<ref name="stern">http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Slatlong.htm</ref> | '''Latitude''', on [[Earth]] or another planetary body, is the [[angular distance]] north and south of the [[equator]], measured in [[degree (angle)|degrees]]. The [[small circle (geometry)]] formed by the collection of points with the same latitude is often called a '''parallel'''. The latitude of the equator is 0 degrees, while north and south poles are 90 degrees north latitude and 90 degrees south latitude, respectively.<ref name="stern">http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Slatlong.htm</ref> | ||
As all [[meridian]]s are halves of [[great circle]]s, on Earth, a degree of latitude is equal to about 111 [[kilometer]]s (69 [[mile]]s), just as a degree of [[longitude]] along the equator is. However, [[Earth]] is not a perfect [[sphere]] but is slightly flattened at the poles and bulges slightly at the equator.<ref name="stern"/> Because of this, there are small differences in the length of a degree latitude. | As all [[meridian]]s are halves of [[great circle]]s, on Earth, a degree of latitude is equal to about 111 [[kilometer]]s (69 [[mile]]s), just as a degree of [[longitude]] along the equator is. However, [[Earth]] is not a perfect [[sphere]] but is slightly flattened at the poles and bulges slightly at the equator.<ref name="stern"/> Because of this, there are small differences in the length of a degree latitude. | ||
Revision as of 09:13, 4 September 2009
Latitude, on Earth or another planetary body, is the angular distance north and south of the equator, measured in degrees. The small circle (geometry) formed by the collection of points with the same latitude is often called a parallel. The latitude of the equator is 0 degrees, while north and south poles are 90 degrees north latitude and 90 degrees south latitude, respectively.[1]
As all meridians are halves of great circles, on Earth, a degree of latitude is equal to about 111 kilometers (69 miles), just as a degree of longitude along the equator is. However, Earth is not a perfect sphere but is slightly flattened at the poles and bulges slightly at the equator.[1] Because of this, there are small differences in the length of a degree latitude.