Latitude and Longitude

1. Latitude and Longitude

2. Graph Principles - Graphs can be divided into “quadrants” - In a Cartesian graph or “plane”, There are 2 axes: -- The X-axisis horizontal -- The Y-axis is vertical X and Y values may be either positive (+) or negative (-) depending on the quadrant in which they are located. Quadrant II Quadrant I Quadrant III Quadrant IV

3. Graph Principles A pair of numbers, one number representing a position along the X-axis, and the other number representing position along the Y-axis, are called coordinates Example: The coordinates (3, 4) would be plotted in Quadrant I The point at coordinate (0, 0) is called the origin Quadrant II Quadrant I Quadrant III Quadrant IV These same principles can be applied to latitude and longitude.

4. On a map, horizontal lines are called lines of Latitudeand... Verticallines are called lines of Longitude. To help recall “which is which…” Just remember that “Lat is Flat!” Equator Prime Meridian The X-axisis the Equatorand the Y-axiswhich runs through Greenwich, England is the Prime Meridian.

5. Latitude and Longitude Units • Latitude is given as distance North or South of the Equator • Longitude is given as distance East or West of the Prime Meridian • The origin point (00, 00) is where the Equator and the Prime Meridian intersect • The coordinate (00, 00) is in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast. (00, 00)

6. Latitude and Longitude Units Degrees, Minutes, Seconds • The primary unit for latitude and longitudeis degrees(°) • There are 360° of longitude (180° E to 180° W) and 180° of latitude (90° N to 90° S).

7. Northern Latitudes Any location north of the equator is a NORTH LATITUDE

8. Southern Latitudes Any location south of the equator is a SOUTH LATITUDE

9. Western Longitudes Any location west of the Prime Meridian is a WEST LONGITUDE

10. Eastern Longitudes Any location east of the Prime Meridian is an EAST LONGITUDE

11. In Which Quadrant Are These Coordinates Located? • 41°N, 21°E • 37°N, 76°W • 72°S, 141°W • 7°S, 23°W • 15°N, 29°E • 34°S, 151°E A B D C

12. Check Your Answers! 1. B 2. A 3. C 4. C 5. B 6. D

13. Latitude and Longitude Units Degrees, Minutes, Seconds • Each Degreecan be broken into 60 minutes(') • Each Minutecan be further divided into 60 seconds(") *Realize that these are NOT units of time but actually represent angles or “arcs” Example: N35° 43' 9" translates to 35 degrees, 43 minutes and 9 seconds North of the Equator W115° 32' 20" translates to 115 degrees, 32 minutes and 20 seconds West of the Prime Meridian

14. Plotting Latitude and Longitude • Given a set of coordinates, an exact location can be located on a map • For example, in the diagram, the airport symbol is located at coordinates: N36° 47.5' , W121° 38.0' (that is 36 degrees, 47.5 minutes Northof the Equator; 121 degrees, 38 minutes Westof the Prime Meridian) The location is simply the intersection of the latitude and longitude lines.

15. Latitude is written first and mustalways include N (north) or S (south) of the • equator. Things to Remember: • Longitude is written next and must always include E (east) or W (west) of • the prime meridian. • In the United States, all latitudes are N (north), and all longitudes are • W (west). As with anything else you learn you, will get better with practice......... SO PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

16. Practice Plotting • Accomplish the Practice Plotting Sheets • For more information on Latitude and Longitude, see the links below: http://science-edu.larc.nasa.gov/SCOOL/latlong.php http://ozoneaq.gsfc.nasa.gov/latlon.md