Can anyone define the distance at the equator (such as miles or feet, etc.) for a degree, minute, second and an arcsecond is on a map or globe? I know it will vary the further you go away from the Equator, but give me your best estimate. If you have a website, that will also help. I'll check back in 1 hour for answer. It's 1:25 pm PST right now. Best answer will definitely get the points. Promise... Thanks
2007-01-15 08:28:43 · 2 answers · asked by Big Mack 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
Apparently, I have to wait 4 hours to award the points. Will come back then to give 'em out. Thanks!
2007-01-15 10:06:19 · update #1
You can figure this out. Find the radius of Earth and multiply it by 2*pi (or find the diameter and multiply by pi) to find the Earth's circumference. Then divide that number by 360 (number of degrees in a circle) to find how "long" a degree is. Divide that by 60 (number of minutes in a degree) to find how long a minute is. And finally divide that by 60 (number of seconds in a minute) to find how long a second is.
2007-01-15 08:39:35 · answer #1 · answered by kris 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
One arcminute of latitude, or one arcminute of longitude at the equator, is approximately equal to 1 nautical mile. (The distance of the nautical mile, 1852 meters, was chosen to be as close as possible to this).
Therefore, one degree = 60 nautical miles = 69 statute miles = 111 km.
2007-01-15 09:12:49 · answer #2 · answered by Keith P 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋