Longitude: Difference between revisions
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'''Longitude''' is distance east and west of the [[prime meridian]], measured in [[Degree (angle)|degrees]]. Because all [[meridian]]s are identical, the choice of a zero line is arbitrary. The meridian that passes through the [[Royal Observatory]] at [[Greenwich, England]], is universally accepted as the reference meridian.<ref>http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Slatlong.htm</ref> Ergo, the longitude for any place on the globe is measured east or west from this line. Longitude can vary from 0 degrees along the prime meridian to 180 degrees, halfway around the globe. | '''Longitude''' is distance east and west of the [[prime meridian]], measured in [[Degree (angle)|degrees]]. Because all [[meridian]]s are identical, the choice of a zero line is arbitrary. The meridian that passes through the [[Royal Observatory]] at [[Greenwich, England]], is universally accepted as the reference meridian.<ref>http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Slatlong.htm</ref> Ergo, the longitude for any place on the globe is measured east or west from this line. Longitude can vary from 0 degrees along the prime meridian to 180 degrees, halfway around the globe. | ||
The length of a degree longitude depends on where the measurement is taken. At the equator, which is a [[great circle]], a degree of east–west distance is equal to approximately 111 [[kilometer]]s (69 [[mile]]s).<ref>http://ametsoc.org/amsedu/online/oceaninfo/samplecourse/Inv01a.pdf</ref> | The length of a degree longitude depends on where the measurement is taken. At the equator, which is a [[great circle]], a degree of east–west distance is equal to approximately 111 [[kilometer]]s (69 [[mile]]s). This number is found by dividing Earth's circumference (40,075 km or 24,900 mi) by 360.<ref>http://ametsoc.org/amsedu/online/oceaninfo/samplecourse/Inv01a.pdf</ref> However, with an increase in [[latitude]], the parallels become smaller, and the length of a degree longitude becomes smaller. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
Revision as of 17:28, 31 January 2008
Longitude is distance east and west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees. Because all meridians are identical, the choice of a zero line is arbitrary. The meridian that passes through the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, England, is universally accepted as the reference meridian.[1] Ergo, the longitude for any place on the globe is measured east or west from this line. Longitude can vary from 0 degrees along the prime meridian to 180 degrees, halfway around the globe.
The length of a degree longitude depends on where the measurement is taken. At the equator, which is a great circle, a degree of east–west distance is equal to approximately 111 kilometers (69 miles). This number is found by dividing Earth's circumference (40,075 km or 24,900 mi) by 360.[2] However, with an increase in latitude, the parallels become smaller, and the length of a degree longitude becomes smaller.