So, What is Actually the Distance from the Equator to the Pole? – Overview of the Meridian Distance Approximations

• Main Author: Adam Weintrit
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Gdynia Maritime University 2013-06-01
• Series: TransNav: International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation
• Subjects: Geodetic Aspects; Meridian Distance; Meridian Distance Approximations; Distance from the Equator to the Pole; Polar Distance; Great Circle; Great Elliptic Sailing; Nautical Mile
• Online Access: http://www.transnav.eu/files/So What is Actually the Distance from the Equator to the Pole – Overview of the Meridian Distance Approximations,435.pdf

In the paper the author presents overview of the meridian distance approximations. He would like to find the answer for the question what is actually the distance from the equator to the pole - the polar distance. In spite of appearances this is not such a simple question. The problem of determining the polar distance is a great opportunity to demonstrate the multitude of possible solutions in common use. At the beginning of the paper the author discusses some approximations and a few exact expressions (infinite sums) to calculate perimeter and quadrant of an ellipse, he presents convenient measurement units of the distance on the surface of the Earth, existing methods for the solution of the great circle and great elliptic sailing, and in the end he analyses and compares geodetic formulas for the meridian arc length.