Latitude Longitude

A way to describe our location on the earth Tells how far north/south and east/west These are called coordinates A way to describe our location on the earth Tells how far north/south and east/west These are called coordinates Latitude/Longitude N N E E W W S S

Latitude Lines The lines run east and west, but they measure degrees north or south of the equator. Equator – 0 o

Longitude Lines Run north and south. Where do all the lines meet? Instead of measuring from the equator, longitude is measured from the prime meridian, a line running through Greenwich, England. Prime Meridian – 0 o

By combining latitude and longitude We can pinpoint any location on Earth.

We measure latitude and longitude in degrees. There are 360 degrees in a circle. One degree is 1/360 th the way around the Earth. There are 360 degrees in a circle. One degree is 1/360 th the way around the Earth.

We identify points on the Earth by specifying how many degrees North or South (of the equator), and how many degrees East or West (of the prime meridian) the points are located.

Another way to describe coordinates is to use a “+” or “-” instead of north, south, east, or west. North is “+” South is “-” West is “-” East is “+” Many computer programs, such as GIS software, use this method.

If you are inputting data into a GIS program, you will need to use “+” or “-”. Huntsville, Alabama is at: o North o West Huntsville, Alabama is at: o North o West How would you write this using “+” and “-”?

The GLOBE website has buttons to click for North and South, when creating your Study Site definition. So you don’t have to worry about “+” or “-”

Fractions of a degree Degree/minute/second = XX o xx’ xx’’ A minute is 1/60 th of a degree – a second is 1/60 th of a minute. Decimal Degrees = XX.xxxxx o We use… 86 o 28’ 32” is NOT EQUAL to o Be sure your GPS is set for decimal degrees!

Need help? Your AMSTI-GLOBE specialists: Jerry Cobbs Jerry Cobbs Lynn Vaughan Lynn Vaughan