3103-450

Spatial data analysis with

Geographical Information Systems
(GIS)
Thilo Streck
Biogeophysics

Georeferencing and map projection

In this lesson, you will get to know
the (idealized) shape of the earth and
geographic coordinate systems
the problem of map projection
properties of some important projections

ArcGIS projection file example

Chang (2010)

The earth as ellipsoid

Strahler & Strahler (1978)

The Earth in the World

Geodetic System (WGS 1984)
Here, the earth is represented by an ellipsoid with
a semi-major axis of a = 6378137 m
a semi-minor axis of b = 6356752 m

International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (1980)

Meridians and parallels

Strahler & Strahler (1978)

The geographic grid

Strahler & Strahler (1978)

Geographic coordinates
on the smartphone

Latitude and Longitude

North Pole

Eq
tor

ua

South Pole

Prime
meridian

Equator

Local versus earth-centered

geographic coordinate systems

Esri2000_NAD27.pdf

ESRI (2000)

The problem of map projection

Arnberger & Kretschmer (1975)

Map projections
Equal-area projection
preserves the areas of objects

Conformal projection
preserves the shapes of small objects
meridians and parallels intersect at right angles

Illustrative example of an
equal-area projection

Strahler & Strahler (1978)

Two example projections

Arnberger & Kretschmer (1975)

One further example projection

(Mercator)

Arnberger & Kretschmer (1975)

Quantification of the deformation

caused by the projection method

r
a

Circle magnied for visibility.

after Arnberger & Kretschmer (1975)

Classification of map projections

Cylindrical projection
Zenithal projection
Conical projection

Map projections

Hake et al. (2002)

Zenithal projection

Arnberger & Kretschmer (1975)

Cylindrical projection

Arnberger & Kretschmer (1975)

Conical projection

Arnberger & Kretschmer (1975)

Cartesian vs. polar coordinates

Hake et al. (2002)

Transformation equations
Geographical coordinates
: latitude
: longitude

Cartesian coordinates
x = f3 ()
y = f4 ()

Polar coordinates
m = f1 ()
= f2 ()
where m denotes the radial distance
to the pole and the polar angle.

Hake et al. (2002)

A simple example: A zenithal

projection that preserves the
lengths of the meridians
=
m = R arc(90

Arnberger & Kretschmer (1975)

Conformal cylindrical projection

projection
(Mercator projection)
projection)

Strahler
Strahler &&Strahler
Strahler(1978)
(1978)

Orthodrome and loxodrome

loxodrome

Hake
Hake et
et al.
al. (2002),
(2002), Arnberger
Arnberger && Kretschmer
Kretschmer(1975)
(1975)

Mercator projection
We demand that
dy
x
=
Rd
R cos

In cartesian coordinates
x = R arc( )
y = R ln tan(45 + /2)
Hake et al. (2002)

Lambert
conformal conical projection
Lambert conformal conical projection

Strahler &
& Strahler
Strahler
Strahler (1978)
(1978)

Directionof
ofprojection
projection axis
axis
Direction

Hake et al. (2002)

Hake et al. (2002)

The German Transverse

Transverse Mercator
Mercator
projection - Gauss-Krger
Gauss-Krger system
system

Httermann & Schrder (2002)

Httermann & Schrder (2002)

The Universal Transverse

Mercator (UTM) system

Hake et al. (2002)

Examples on Smartphone
Geographic Coordinate System

UTM System

Central meridian of zone 32: 9

ArcGIS projection file example

Chang (2010)