1. Latitude and Longitude Some Basics

2. Mapping Earth ► In order to find geographic locations on Earth, a global coordinate mapping system is used ► This is Latitude and Longitude!

3. Latitude ► 1) Latitude is the distance NORTH or SOUTH of the equator ► It’s measured in DEGREES on lines called PARALLELS ► 2) The distance from the equator to the poles is 90 degrees ► The latitude of the equator is 0 degrees, while that of the poles is 90 degrees

4. Latitude

5. Latitude ► The tropics (Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn) are located 23.5 degrees NORTH (N) and SOUTH (S) of the EQUATOR ► The Arctic and Antarctic circles are 66.5 degrees from the EQUATOR ► Washingtonville (your home) is located about 41 degrees NORTH (N) latitude

6. Latitude ► 3) On a clear night, latitude may be determined by finding the ALTITUDE of Polaris ► In the NORTHERN HEMISPHERE, the number of degrees that Polaris is above the horizon (altitude) is the SAME as the observer’s latitude!

7. Latitude ► 4) On a clear night, latitude can be determined from the ALTITUDE OF POLARIS by use of an instrument called a SEXTANT

8. Finding Polaris

9. LONGITUDE ► 1) Longitude is the distance EAST or WEST of the PRIME MERIDIAN ► It’s measured in DEGREES on semi-circles called MERIDIANS ► These circles meet at the POLES and are farthest apart at the EQUATOR ► At the equator, a degree of longitude (1/360 th of Earth’s circumference) is equal to about 111km ► At the poles a degree of longitude is equal to 0km

10. Longitude

11. Longitude ► Starting from the Prime Meridian (which is 0 degrees Longitude), the meridians are numbered up to 180 degrees EAST and WEST ► Your home (Washingtonville) is located about 74 degrees WEST longitude

12. Lat and Long Activity..let’s Try It! S E W