Longitude and Latitude to Distances

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Hemib
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating longitudinal and lateral displacements from GPS coordinates expressed in longitude and latitude. Participants explore the complexities involved in deriving meaningful distance measurements from these coordinates, particularly in relation to the curvature of the Earth.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the difficulty in calculating displacements due to the variation of distance represented by degrees of longitude and latitude, especially as one moves from the equator to the poles.
  • Another participant suggests using online resources for calculations, indicating that tools are available to assist with the problem.
  • A later participant expresses that they have derived a formula for calculating the distance between two GPS points but seeks to further decompose this distance into its longitudinal and lateral components using trigonometric functions.
  • This participant questions whether the GPS course heading corresponds to the angle in a right triangle formed by the hypotenuse and the lateral distance, suggesting that this could facilitate the calculation of the other two legs of the triangle.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the best method for calculating longitudinal and lateral displacements, and multiple viewpoints regarding the complexity and available resources remain present in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the dependence on the curvature of the Earth and the implications this has on calculations, as well as the need for clarification on the relationship between GPS course heading and the geometry of the triangle formed by the distances.

Hemib
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Hi,

How can I calculate the longitudinal and lateral displacement from the longitude and latitude in degrees from a GPS.

Thx!
 
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Not easily.

When it comes to a globe, the values at the equator are at their maximum whilst they tend to zero towards the poles.

You would need to allow for this in order to gain meaningful data. From the outset, it looks rather complex for the purpose you require.
 
Thanks for reactions!

I now have a formula to calculate the traveled distance between two points. But I want to split this in a lateral and longitudinal distance. So what I have is an right triangle with the calculated distance equals the hypotenuse. What I want are the distances over the other 2 legs of the triangle.

My GPS signal gives me the course I'm heading. Is this the angle in triangle between the hypotenuse and the lateral distance? If it is, I can easy calculate the other 2 legs with sinus and cosinus.

Thx
 

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