Geographic Calculations and Earth's Properties

The angle between the plane of the Equator and the plane of the Ecliptic is 23.5 degrees.

The difference in longitude between two meridians, measured along a parallel of latitude.

The semi-minor axis of the Earth, representing the distance from the center of the Earth to the surface at the poles.

The ratio of the difference between the semi-major and semi-minor axes to the semi-major axis.

The phenomenon where the sun remains above the horizon for 24 hours at a location. It occurs at locations north of the Arctic Circle in summer or south of the Antarctic Circle in winter.

The angle between the Sun's rays and the plane of the Equator. It varies throughout the year due to Earth's tilt.

The angular distance, measured in degrees, east or west of the prime meridian. It is a coordinate used to specify a location on Earth's surface.

The approximate equation for calculating convergency: Convergency = dlong * sin(mean lat).

The semi-major axis of the Earth, representing the distance from the center of the Earth to the surface at the equator.

The maximum value of longitude is 180 degrees, both east and west of the prime meridian.

The largest change in longitude that can occur between any two points on Earth is 180 degrees.

The value of longitude can range from 0 to 180 degrees, with 0 degrees at the prime meridian and 180 degrees at the International Date Line.

The value of longitude is expressed in degrees, with 1 degree representing 1/360th of the circumference of the Earth.

The Earth is an oblate spheroid, meaning it is flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator. This shape is caused by the centrifugal force of the Earth's rotation.

The distance between the poles and the equator is shorter than the distance along the equator.

The latitude of a location determines the length of daylight hours, with locations closer to the poles experiencing greater variation.

The Earth's rotation on its axis determines day and night, while the Earth's revolution around the Sun causes the seasons.

A location's longitude influences its local time, with each degree of longitude representing a four-minute difference in time.

The Earth's magnetic field protects us from harmful solar wind radiation, causing auroras at the magnetic poles.