Unit 2 : Activity 2 : The Terrestrial Coordinate System : Longitude and Time Zones : Earth Clock : Unit Exam

Unit 1: How to Point to a Star
Unit 2: Where on Earth Are You?
Unit 3: Earth's Rotation and the Sun's Apparent Motion
Unit 4: Yearly Changes in the Sky
Unit 5: Seasons and Climate
Unit 6: Sundials
Unit 7: Navigation
Unit 8: Ancient Astronomy
Unit 9: Constellations
 

The Terrestrial Coordinate System

The coordinate system that we use to locate places on Earth is the terrestrial system. The coordinates in the terrestrial system are latitude and longitude. Latitude is measured in degrees North or South of the equator. Longitude is measured in degrees East or West of the Prime Meridian or Greenwich Meridian (they are the same thing). The Prime Meridian passes through the old Royal Astronomical Observatory (now a museum) at Greenwich, England which is very close to London.
Globe showing latitude lines

Special points and lines in the terrestrial system are the:

- Equator (0' latitude)

- North and South Poles (90' latitude N or S)

- Greenwich Meridian (0' longitude E or W)

In Activity 1 you made a globe using this coordinate system.  If you missed that activity, now would be a good time to go back and try it.  Alternatively, you can read through the activity assignment and then study a geographic globe, noting where the latitude and longitude lines go.

Having a little trouble understanding what latitude, longitude and meridians are?
Click on Brisban's photo to the left for his NO FRILLS HELP!

 

 

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