Part I:GIS

Chapter Two

Coordinate Systems

Debre Berhan University

College of Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences

Jan /2023
Debre Berhan
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Outline ofthe
Outline of theChapter
chapter

o Introduction
o Definition of coordinate systems
o Coordinate systems and its types
Geographic coordinate systems
Projected coordinate system
o Types of map projection and Distortion
o Concept of the Datum
o Datum Conflict
o Projection transformation
o Universal Transverse Mercator

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Introduction of coordinate systems

o GIS as a system is different from other information

systems because it contain spatial data that are
referenced to the earth’s surface.

o These spatial data include coordinates that define the

location, shape, and extent of geographic objects.

o To effectively use GIS we need to know about how

coordinate systems are established and how
coordinates are measured.

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Coordinate System

o A Coordinate System is a reference system used to

measure horizontal and vertical distances on a
planimetric (flat surface) map.

o It is used to define a location on the Earth surface.

o There are two major types of coordinate systems in

use today, namely, Geographic and Projected
coordinate systems.

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Geographic Coordinate Systems (GCS)
o GCS is used to locate and measure the location of any feature
on the earth surface in terms of latitude longitude and it’s
based on 3-D sphere and measured in degree.

o The earth is divided into two types of lines, meridians (lines

which runs from N to S) and parallels (lines which runs
from E to W).

o The prime meridian is running straight from the North Pole

to South Pole and passing through Greenwich in England.
o The line which runs from E to W direction at the center of the
Earth surface is know as Equator.

o Latitude and longitude can be measured either in degree

minutes and second or decimal degree.

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Projected Coordinate System (PCS)
o Map projection is a mathematical formula where the 3-D
earth’s transform into a 2-D or plane surface.

o PCS is a flat, 2-D representation of the Earth.

o It is easy to use and work with than the spherical
coordinate
o It uses linear units of measure for coordinates, so that
calculations of distance and area are easily done.

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o The x and y coordinate is, usually, the eastward and
northward direction of a point respectively.
o The intersection of the x and y-axis is the origin and, with
coordinate of (0, 0).
o For example, if we know the lower-left cell
coordinates, all other cell coordinates may be
determined by the formulas:
Ncell = Nlower-left + row * cell size
Ecell = Elower-left + column * cell size

 Where: N is the coordinate in the north direction (y),

 E is the coordinate in the east direction (x),
 The row and column are counted from the lower left cell.
 Cell size is the size of the grid or resolution of a raster dataset on the ground
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 oThe resolution of the raster
dataset is its cell in ground units.

oFor example, in a Landsat TM

raster image, each cell may be a
pixel that represents an area of 30
meters by 30 meters.

oThe cell dimension specifies the

length and width of the cell in
surface units.
30m
(0,0) 30m

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 B
o The spatial resolution of a
certain image is 100m by

66500m
100m.
A

50000m
o Calculate the coordinate
value for the shaded
regions or cells (A and B).

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 Map projection and Distortion

o The shape of the earth is so complicated and for the

map projection, the earth is considered ellipsoid or
sphere.
o The earth has semimajor (a) and semiminor (b) axes.

oThe shape, area, distance

and direction of the
features on the earth
surface are correctly shown
on a globe.
oThe transformation from
earth surface onto a flat
plane surface involves
distortion.
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 Map projection and Distortion

o The major alteration has to do with the angles which will

affect the area, shape, distance and directions.

o There is no ideal projection that retains all globe

properties.

o This leads scientist to generate hundreds of map

projections in order to minimize the distortion and retain
at least one of the earth’s properties.

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 Types of map projection
Based on developable service o Commonly known as developable
projection surfaces, these types
Methods of drawing are selected on the basis of
Criteria they satisfy characteristic curves.

a) Azimuthal (planar) b) Conical c) Cylindrical

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 The spherical
Earth’s surface
(3D)

Transformation

Plane surface (2D)

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Types of map projection

o Cylindrical projections are transferring of meridians, parallels

and other points by wrapping a flat plane (sheet) into a cylinder
and making it tangent along a line or lines on the globe (sphere).
o Example, equal area , Transverse Mercator , UTM etc
o The globe’s are represented by equidistant, parallel straight lines that
intersect one another at right angles.
o
Conic projection is transferring of parallels, meridians and points
from the generating globe grid to a cone enveloped around the
globe. Best for mapping earth areas,

o Azimuthal projection is transferring of parallels, meridians, and

points from the generating globe to a plane sheet of paper
enveloped around the globe. It preserve true-direction

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 Classification of Map projection

o The classification of map projections, or projection

classifications, is used to further organize projection types
and serve as another tool to gain better results for an
application.

o While the types determine the specific method of physical

projection, the classification defines the properties of the
projected surface.

o Projection classifications ensure that not only that the

desired traits required of the application are satisfied but
also that the desired parameters are preserved.

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 Classification of Map projection

o Therefore, cartographer classified the map projection into four.

o Conformal or orthomorphic projection retains the angle and

the shape of a small area. When this condition happens,
the parallels and meridians will intersect at 90°.
o Equivalent or equal-area projection will retain the correct
relative size. Thus in such projection, the parallels and
meridians will not intersect at 90°.

o Equidistant projection conserves the distance between two

points in a map.
o Azimuthal or true-direction projection represents the part of
the earth’s directions correctly with straight line.

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Common Projection Distortions

o Projection of curved earth surface onto a flat plane surface

creates distortion. There is no ideal projection that
retains the major globe properties.
o The major alteration will affect the Shape, area, distance
and directions.

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Common Projection Distortions

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Concept of Datum

o Datum is sets of parameters and ground control points

defining local coordinate systems.

o Because the earth is not a perfect sphere, but is somewhat

“egg-shaped,” geodesists use spheroids and ellipsoids to
model the 3-dimensional shape of the earth.

o Although the earth can be modeled by an egg-shaped

solid, local variations still exist, due to differential
thickness of the earth’s crust, or differential gravitation
due to density of the crustal materials.

o A datum is created to account for these local variations in

establishing a coordinate system.
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 Concept of Datum

o A generalized earth-
centered coordinate
system is called World
Geodetic System 84
(WGS84). WGS84 provides
a good overall mean
solution for all places on
the earth.

o However, for specific local

measurements, WGS84
cannot account for local
variations. Instead, a local
Datum has been
developed.

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Reading Assignment

oHorizontal Datum
oVertical Datum
oDatum Conflict
oProjection vs Transformation

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Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)

o A comprehensive system for identifying locations and making

measurements over most of the earth's surface.
o UTM is an important projection used worldwide.

o It is a metric system (meter is the basic unit of UTM).

o It helps to measure area and distance.

o The most western edge of UTM is zone 1 and the most eastern
edge is zone 60.
o Each zone has 60 longitudinal extents.
o That means zone 1 extends from 1800 W to 1740 W.
o Ethiopia largely fall in zone 37.

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Every place on earth falls 1/21/2023
in a particular zone
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Thank you!!!

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