This chapter’s lab will continue using Google Earth (GE), but only to specifically examine coordinate systems and the relationship between various sets of
coordinates and the objects they represent in the real world. In addition, you’ll
be making some measurements using GE, as well as using some Web resources
for comparing measurements made using different coordinate systems.
Note that this lab makes reference to things like “coordinates for the
White House” or “coordinates for Buckingham Palace”—these represent measuring a set of coordinates at one specific location at these places and are used
as simplifications of things for lab purposes.
Objectives
The goals for you to take away from this lab are:
a Setting up a graticule of lines in GE.
a Locating places and objects strictly by their coordinates.
a Making measurements across long and short distances, and then comparing measurements to surface distance calculations.
a Translating lat/long coordinates into UTM.
Obtaining Software
The current version of Google Earth (6.0) is available for free download at
http://earth.google.com.
Important note: Software and online resources sometimes change fast.
This lab was designed with the most recently available version of the software
at the time of writing. However, if the software or Websites have significantly
changed between then and now, an updated version of this lab (using the newest versions) is available online at http://www.whfreeman.com/shellito1e.
Lab Data
There is no data to copy in this lab. All data comes as part of the GE data that gets
installed with the software or is streamed across the Internet through using GE.
Localizing This Lab
This lab flies around the world to numerous locations, including Washington, D.C., and London. However, it can easily be changed to examine the
coordinates of nearby local areas. Rather than looking at the White House
or Buckingham Palace, substitute the coordinates or locations for your local
government offices (like city halls or courthouses).
2.1 Geospatial Lab Application
Coordinates and Position Measurements
46
coordinates and the objects they represent in the real world. In addition, you’ll
be making some measurements using GE, as well as using some Web resources
for comparing measurements made using different coordinate systems.
Note that this lab makes reference to things like “coordinates for the
White House” or “coordinates for Buckingham Palace”—these represent measuring a set of coordinates at one specific location at these places and are used
as simplifications of things for lab purposes.
Objectives
The goals for you to take away from this lab are:
a Setting up a graticule of lines in GE.
a Locating places and objects strictly by their coordinates.
a Making measurements across long and short distances, and then comparing measurements to surface distance calculations.
a Translating lat/long coordinates into UTM.
Obtaining Software
The current version of Google Earth (6.0) is available for free download at
http://earth.google.com.
Important note: Software and online resources sometimes change fast.
This lab was designed with the most recently available version of the software
at the time of writing. However, if the software or Websites have significantly
changed between then and now, an updated version of this lab (using the newest versions) is available online at http://www.whfreeman.com/shellito1e.
Lab Data
There is no data to copy in this lab. All data comes as part of the GE data that gets
installed with the software or is streamed across the Internet through using GE.
Localizing This Lab
This lab flies around the world to numerous locations, including Washington, D.C., and London. However, it can easily be changed to examine the
coordinates of nearby local areas. Rather than looking at the White House
or Buckingham Palace, substitute the coordinates or locations for your local
government offices (like city halls or courthouses).
2.1 Geospatial Lab Application
Coordinates and Position Measurements
46