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Datums [Jan. 3, 2012, 12:45 a.m.]


 

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
  • describe what a datum is in your own words
  • differentiate a sphere from an ellipsoid
  • calculate the flattening ratio, equator to polar circumference, of an ellipsoid
    • f = (a - b) / a
    • flattening, a = equitorial radius, b = polar radius

Topic Overview

  • Point of reference
  • Clarke 1866
  • NAD27
  • NAD83
  • GRS80
  • WGS84
  • Map Scale
  • representative fraction
  • 1:40,000,000 (meters) 
  • Other common scales

Reference