Stereographic projection and uneven scaling

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the mathematical foundations of stereographic projection and its variants, particularly in the context of uneven scaling based on latitude and longitude. The Azimuthal projection is highlighted, with specific equations provided for various types, including the gnomonic, orthographic, and stereographic projections. The stereographic projection is defined as conformal, utilizing the tangent point's antipode as the perspective point, with the equation r(d) = c tan(d/2R). Understanding these projections is essential for accurately mapping geographical data.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Azimuthal projections
  • Familiarity with mathematical functions related to mapping
  • Knowledge of spherical geometry
  • Basic principles of perspective projection
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical derivations of the stereographic projection
  • Explore the applications of gnomonic projection in navigation
  • Study the differences between conformal and equal-area projections
  • Investigate the use of azimuthal equidistant projection in telecommunications
USEFUL FOR

Geographers, cartographers, mathematicians, and anyone involved in mapping and spatial analysis will benefit from this discussion.

Tahmeed
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Lets assume we are mapping one face of earth. we place a plane touching the Earth at 0 lattitude and 0 longitude. Now we take the plane of projection. suppose that we expand the projection unevenly. The small projectional area of a certain lattitude and longitude is expanded by a factor which is the function of it's lattitude abd longitude.

Evidently we won't get a circular projection. But how do i find the shape/equation of the projection if i know the expansion factor as a function of lattitude and longitude?
 
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The first thing you need to know is your map projection: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map_projection
The projection you are describing is Azimuthal, but there are variants.
From the wiki article:
Some azimuthal projections are true perspective projections; that is, they can be constructed mechanically, projecting the surface of the Earth by extending lines from a https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Point_of_perspective&action=edit&redlink=1 (along an infinite line through the tangent point and the tangent point's antipode) onto the plane:

  • The gnomonic projection displays great circles as straight lines. Can be constructed by using a point of perspective at the center of the Earth. r(d) = c tan d/R; so that even just a hemisphere is already infinite in extent.[24][25]
  • The General Perspective projection can be constructed by using a point of perspective outside the earth. Photographs of Earth (such as those from the International Space Station) give this perspective.
  • The orthographic projection maps each point on the Earth to the closest point on the plane. Can be constructed from a point of perspective an infinite distance from the tangent point; r(d) = c sin d/R.[26] Can display up to a hemisphere on a finite circle. Photographs of Earth from far enough away, such as the Moon, approximate this perspective.
  • The stereographic projection, which is conformal, can be constructed by using the tangent point's antipode as the point of perspective. r(d) = c tan d/2R; the scale is c/(2R cos2 d/2R).[27] Can display nearly the entire sphere's surface on a finite circle. The sphere's full surface requires an infinite map.
Other azimuthal projections are not true perspective projections:

  • Azimuthal equidistant: r(d) = cd; it is used by amateur radio operators to know the direction to point their antennas toward a point and see the distance to it. Distance from the tangent point on the map is proportional to surface distance on the Earth (;[28] for the case where the tangent point is the North Pole, see the flag of the United Nations)
  • Lambert azimuthal equal-area. Distance from the tangent point on the map is proportional to straight-line distance through the earth: r(d) = c sin d/2R[29]
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Logarithmic_azimuthal_projection&action=edit&redlink=1 is constructed so that each point's distance from the center of the map is the logarithm of its distance from the tangent point on the Earth. r(d) = c ln d/d0); locations closer than at a distance equal to the constant d0 are not shown.[30][31]
 

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