Geometry - Stereographic projection

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the properties of stereographic projection, specifically regarding the mapping of circles of latitude on the sphere S² to the plane H. It is established that while the equator maps to a circle of the same radius on H, circles of latitude closer to the poles do not maintain equal radii upon projection. As latitude increases towards the poles, the radii of the projected circles on H increase without bound, contradicting the claim that the radii remain the same. The relationship between the apex of the cone formed by the circle of latitude and its projection further confirms that the radii are not equal.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of stereographic projection in geometry
  • Familiarity with the properties of circles on the sphere S²
  • Knowledge of the concept of great circles and their projections
  • Basic principles of conic sections and their geometric interpretations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the mathematical derivation of stereographic projection formulas
  • Explore the properties of great circles and their significance in spherical geometry
  • Investigate the geometric implications of conic sections in relation to stereographic projections
  • Learn about the applications of stereographic projection in various fields such as cartography and computer graphics
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Mathematicians, geometry enthusiasts, educators, and students studying advanced geometry or spherical projections will benefit from this discussion.

Pearce_09
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I know if a cirlce (on S^2) does not contain N (0,0,1) then it is mapped onto the plane H as a circle. Now say the circles on S^2 are lines of latitude. When mapped by the stereographic projection they are cirlces in R^3 on the plane H. Now the only thing I am not sure on is,

my claim:
When lines of latitude are mapped by the stereographic projection the radius of the circle on H, is the same radies as the circle that was projected from S^2.

I know for one thing that if the equator is mapped onto H it is the same on H as on S^2.

(great cirlces containing N are mapped to lines on H)
 
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Unless I misunderstood your claim, it cannot be true, since the radii of the projected circles on H increase without bound as you get latitudes closer to the top of the sphere.
 
hypermorphism said:
Unless I misunderstood your claim, it cannot be true, since the radii of the projected circles on H increase without bound as you get latitudes closer to the top of the sphere.

In addition, given that N, a circle of latitude on the sphere and its stereographic projection, form a cone with N as its apex that is in some sense perpendicular to the planes defined by the two circles, the radii are never equal to each other.
 

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