Latitude, Longitude and Heightfor Ellipsoids & Spheres

For ellipsoids

Latitude, longitude and geodetic height are defined as per this diagram. The line through P is perpendicular to the ellipsoid. Longitude ? is generally referenced to the Prime Meridian.

For spheres

Longitude is the same as for the ellipsoidal case, ? is the geocentric latitude, and hos is height above the sphere. The line through P is per-pendicular to the sphere. In mapping, charting and geodesy, spherical ERMs are almost never used.

?

P(X, Y, Z) or P(Ø, ?, h)

•

ø

X

Y

Z

Pe

h

?

•

Y

Z

Ps

X

hos

Previous slide

Next slide

Back to first slide

View graphic version