The Cartographic Solution of Great Circle Problems

Abstract

During the last twenty years a revival of interest in the subject of map projections has taken the form of a renewed attack upon certain basic limitations which face the cartographer. A necessary stimulus has been provided by the growth of a technique of air navigation, which in many ways has departed from the traditional practice of the marine navigator. From this and other directions emphasis has been laid on the need for precise cartographic representation of distance, direction and position on the earth. But although certain problems may be treated by devising new projections to meet special needs, it is obvious that there is a limit to any purely cartographic approach. The requirements of the new navigation are, briefly, that its methods should be rapid, convenient to use, and of an accuracy consistent with the limitations imposed. The traditional solution by means of spherical trigonometry is thus ruled out on at least two of these counts. In its place, there are now available a number of graphical, mechanical and simplified tabular methods, many of which have no cartographic basis. Since a map projection is an obvious medium for the measurement of spherical relations, the needs of long-distance air navigation have encouraged the adaptation of certain projections in the form of special instruments and devices.

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