Course Code: NAV 3 225L6

Earth Coordinate
System

TERRESTRIAL AND COASTAL NAVIGATION II

EARTH COORDINATE SYSTEM

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:

• explain the significance of Earth coordinate system to

navigation
• calculate the differences of latitude and longitude
Course Code: NAV 3 225L6

Coordinate System

TERRESTRIAL AND COASTAL NAVIGATION II

COORDINATE SYSTEM

N
Coordinate System

A coordinate system is a method for

identifying the location of a point in
the Earth. W E

Most coordinate systems use two

numbers, a coordinate, to identify
the location of a point. S
COORDINATE SYSTEM

N
Earth Coordinate System

Longitude and latitude are a

Latitude
special kind of coordinate
system, called the Earth W
Longitude
E

Coordinate System, since

they identify points on a
sphere or globe.
S
COORDINATE SYSTEM

Earth Coordinate System Latitude

These coordinates (latitude 20 degrees 32 minutes 14

and longitude) are measured seconds N/S
in angular distance and
therefore its value is in Longitude
degree/s minute/s and
second/s format followed by 072 degrees 28 minutes 52
the name. seconds E/W
COORDINATE SYSTEM

Earth Coordinate System

Departure

Using this system the

navigator will be able make
a plan by marking the
positions on the chart from
departure position all the
way to its point of
destination.
Destination
COORDINATE SYSTEM

Earth Coordinate System

Di
sta
The navigator can also use

nc
nce

e
a
different navigational Dista
nce
Dis
t

methods and techniques to Di

st
measure the distance from an

ce
ce

ta n
one specific place or point

Dis
on the Earth to another.
COORDINATE SYSTEM

Earth Coordinate System

Early navigators determine

there coordinates using
navigational equipment and
techniques and with the help
of celestial bodies.
COORDINATE SYSTEM

Earth Coordinate System

Today, navigators used

global navigation satellites
(such as GPS) to determine
the coordinate of a point on
the Earth.
Course Code: NAV 3 225L6

Latitude and
Longitude

TERRESTRIAL AND COASTAL NAVIGATION II

COORDINATE SYSTEM

N = 900
Latitude

It is the angular distance

from the equator, measured
000
northward or southward Equator
000

along a meridian from 00

degree at the equator to 90
degrees at the poles.
S = 900
COORDINATE SYSTEM

N = 900
Naming of Latitude

The latitude is named north

(N) if the measurement is
000
from the equator to north Equator
000

pole and south (S) if the

measurement is from the
equator to south pole of the
Earth. S = 900
COORDINATE SYSTEM

Latitude on Nautical Chart

Latitudes are presented on 30 minutes

both sides of the nautical 400 400

chart. The presentation of

the latitude may differ 60 minutes / 1 degree

depending on the scale of

the chart. 410 410
COORDINATE SYSTEM

0000
Longitude

It is the angular distance

Meridian
between the prime meridian Longitude Longitude
and the meridian of a point W = 180 E = 1800
0

Prime
on the Earth measured
eastward or westward from
the prime meridian through
180 degrees.
COORDINATE SYSTEM

0000
Naming of Longitude

The longitude is named east

Meridian
(E) if the measurement is West
Longitude
East
Longitude
eastward from the prime W = 1800 E = 1800

Prime
meridian and west (W) if the
measurement is westward
from the prime meridian.
COORDINATE SYSTEM

Longitude on Nautical 1310 1300

Chart

Longitude are presented on 60 minutes / 1 degree

the top and bottom of the
nautical chart. The 30 minutes
presentation of the longitude
may differ depending on the 1310 1300
scale of the chart.
COORDINATE SYSTEM

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370

120 120

110 110

100 100

090 090

080 080

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370
COORDINATE SYSTEM

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370

120 120
Example 1:

110 Latitude: 10 degrees N 110

Longitude: 134 degrees E

100 100

090 090

080 080

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370
COORDINATE SYSTEM

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370

120 120
Example 1:

110 Latitude: 10 degrees N 110

Longitude: 134 degrees E

100 100

090 090

080 080

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370
COORDINATE SYSTEM

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370

120 120
Example 1:

110 Latitude: 10 degrees N 110

Longitude: 134 degrees E

100 100

090 090

080 080

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370
COORDINATE SYSTEM

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370

120 120
Example 1:

110 Latitude: 10 degrees N 110

Longitude: 134 degrees E

100 100

090 090

080 080

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370
COORDINATE SYSTEM

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370

120 120
Example 2:

110 Latitude: 9.5 degrees N 110

Longitude: 136.5 degrees E

100 100

090 090

080 080

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370
COORDINATE SYSTEM

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370

120 120
Example 2:

110 Latitude: 9.5 degrees N 110

Longitude: 136.5 degrees E

100 100

090 090

080 080

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370
COORDINATE SYSTEM

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370

120 120
Example 2:

110 Latitude: 9.5 degrees N 110

Longitude: 136.5 degrees E

100 100

090 090

080 080

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370
COORDINATE SYSTEM

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370

120 120
Example 2:

110 Latitude: 9.5 degrees N 110

Longitude: 136.5 degrees E

100 100

090 090

080 080

1280 1290 1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370
Course Code: NAV 3 225L6

Difference of
Latitude

TERRESTRIAL AND COASTAL NAVIGATION II

DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

N
Definitions

Parallel of Latitude Parallel of 20 Latitude

0
200

Also called parallel is a circle on the Equator

000

surface of the Earth parallel to the

plane of the equator. Parallel of 600 Latitude
600

It connects all points of equal S

latitude.
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

N
Definitions

Difference of Latitude (DLat) Parallel of 20 Latitude

0
200

The angular length of arc of any Equator

000

DLat
meridian between their parallels.
Parallel of 600 Latitude
600

S
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

N
Solving DLat (Same Name)

It is the numerical difference of

DLa
t
the latitudes if the places are on
the same side of the equator. Equator

DLat = Latitude 1/2 – Latitude 2/1

DL
(whichever is the greater)

at
S
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 1:

Vessel “A” is at latitude 150 32’ N and vessel “B” is at the

latitude 120 04’ N. Determine their difference in latitude.

Vessel “A” = 150 32’ N (greater)

Vessel “B” = - 120 04’ N
Diff. of Latitude = 030 28’
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 2:

Vessel “A” is at latitude 360 18’ S and vessel “B” is at the

latitude 370 53’ S. Determine their difference in latitude.

Vessel “B” = 370 53’ S (greater)

Vessel “A” = - 360 18’ S
Diff. of Latitude = 010 35’
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

N
Solving DLat (Opposite Name)

It is the sum of the latitudes if the

DLat
places are on opposite sides of
the equator. Equator

DLa
t
DLat = Latitude 1 + Latitude 2

S
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 1:

Vessel “A” is at latitude 020 42’ N and vessel “B” is at the

latitude 030 15’ S. Determine their difference in latitude.

Vessel “A” = 020 42’ N

Vessel “B” = + 030 15’ S
Diff. of Latitude = 050 57’
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 2:

Vessel “A” is at latitude 080 27’ S and vessel “B” is at the

latitude 120 13’ N. Determine their difference in latitude.

Vessel “A” = 080 27’ S

Vessel “B” = + 120 13’ N
Diff. of Latitude = 200 40’
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

N
Naming

When determining the difference

DLa
t
of latitude of a ship moving from
one parallel to another, a name is Equator
included on the difference to
indicate the direction the ship is

DL
moving (North or South).

at
S
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 1: N

350 57’
Determine the difference of latitude of

DLat
a ship navigating from latitude 350 57’ 270 02’
N to latitude 270 02’ N.
Equator

Latitude 1 = 350 57’ N (greater)

Latitude 2 = - 270 02’ N
Diff. of Latitude = 080 55’ S S
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 2: N

Determine the difference of latitude of

a ship navigating from latitude 150 28’
S to latitude 200 41’ S.
Equator

Latitude 2 = 20 41’ S (greater)

0 150 28’

DL
Latitude 1 = - 150 28’ S

at
200 41’

Diff. of Latitude = 050 13’ S S

DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 3: N

Determine the difference of latitude of 100 12’

a ship navigating from latitude 030 47’

DLat
S to latitude 100 12’ N.
Equator
030 47’

Latitude 1 = 030 47’ S

Latitude 2 = + 100 12’ N
Diff. of Latitude = 130 59’ N S
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 4: N

Determine the difference of latitude of 120 10’

a ship navigating from latitude 120 10’

DLat
N to latitude 050 18’ S.
Equator
050 18’

Latitude 1 = 120 10’ N

Latitude 2 = + 050 18’ S
Diff. of Latitude = 170 28’ S S
Course Code: NAV 3 225L6

Difference of
Longitude

TERRESTRIAL AND COASTAL NAVIGATION II

DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Definitions N

Meridian

The upper branch of the half-circle

from pole to pole which passes
through a given point.

The opposite half is called the lower

S
branch.
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Definitions N

Difference of Longitude (DLong)

Meridian at 0800
DLong

The shorter arc of the parallel

between the meridians of the two
places.

S
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

0000
Definitions

Prime Meridian
Difference of Longitude (DLong)
Me
ridi
an
at 0
80 0

The smaller angle at the pole W DLong S E

between the meridians of the two 00

Anti Meridian
t 11
d i an a
Meri

places.

1800
View from South Pole
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

0000
Solving DLong (Same Name)

Prime Meridian
It is the numerical difference of
the longitudes if the places are on
the same side of the prime W DLong
DLong
E

meridian.

Anti Meridian
DLong = Longitude 1/2
– Longitude 2/1 1800
(whichever is the greater) View from South Pole
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 1:

Vessel “A” is at longitude 0750 15’ E and vessel “B” is at the

latitude 0620 07’ E. Determine their difference in longitude.

Vessel “A” = 0750 15’ E (greater)

Vessel “B” = - 0620 07’ E
Diff. of Longitude = 0130 08’
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 2:

Vessel “A” is at latitude 1160 08’ W and vessel “B” is at the

latitude 1170 43’ W. Determine their difference in longitude.

Vessel “B” = 1170 43’ W (greater)

Vessel “A” = - 1160 08’ W
Diff. of Longitude = 010 35’
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

0000
Solving DLat (Opposite Name)

Prime Meridian
It is the sum of the longitudes if the
places are on opposite sides of the
prime meridian. W DLong
DLong
E

Anti Meridian
DLong = Longitude 1 + Longitude 2

DLong = 360 – (Longitude 1 + 1800

Longitude 2) if the sum of the longitudes is greater than 180 0 View from South Pole
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 1:

Vessel “A” is at latitude 1420 12’ E and vessel “B” is at the

latitude 0130 25’ W. Determine their difference in longitude.

Vessel “A” = 1420 12’ E

Vessel “B” = + 0130 25’ W
Diff. of Longitude = 1550 37’
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 2:

Vessel “A” is at latitude 1580 07’ W and vessel “B” is at the

latitude 1220 33’ E. Determine their difference in longitude.

Vessel “A” = 1580 07’ W

Vessel “B” = + 1120 33’ E
Diff. of Longitude = 2700 40’ (more than 1800)
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 2:

Vessel “A” is at latitude 1580 07’ W and vessel “B” is at the

latitude 1220 33’ E. Determine their difference in longitude.

3590 60’
- 2700 40’
Diff. of Longitude = 0890 20’
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

0000
Naming

Prime Meridian
When determining the difference
of longitude of a ship moving from
one meridian to another, a name W DLong
DLong
E

is included on the difference to

Anti Meridian
indicate the direction the ship is
moving (East or West).
1800
View from South Pole
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 1: N

Determine the difference of longitude DLong

Meridian at 1170
of a ship navigating from longitude
1350 W to latitude 1170 W.

Longitude 1 = 1350 W (greater)

Longitude 2 = - 1170 W
Diff. of Longitude = 0180 05’ E S
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 2: N

Determine the difference of longitude DLong

of a ship navigating from longitude

0850 E to longitude 1200 E.

Longitude 2 = 1200 E (greater)

Longitude 1 = - 0850 E
Diff. of Longitude = 0350 E S
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 3: N

DLong
Determine the difference of longitude
of a ship navigating from longitude
0030 W to longitude 0100 E.

Longitude 1 = 0030 W
Longitude 2 = + 0100 E
Diff. of Longitude = 0130 E S
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 4: N

DLong
Determine the difference of longitude of a
ship navigating from longitude 1320 E to
longitude 1150 W.

Longitude 1 = 1320 E
Longitude 2 = + 1150 W
Diff. of Longitude = 2470 W (more than 1800) S
DIFFERENCE OF LATITUDE

Example 4: N

DLong
Determine the difference of longitude of a
ship navigating from longitude 1320 E to
longitude 1150 W.

3600
- 2470 W
Diff. of Longitude = 1130 E (name will be S
reverse from W to E)