Earth Space Science

Cartography

Science of map making

Equator

Horizontally circles earth halfway between north and south poles

Latitude

Lines on a map running paralell to the equator

Longitude

Distance east or west of the prime meridian

Prime Meridian

0 degrees longitude

International Date Line

the line of longitude that marks where each new day begins, centered on the 180th meridian

Mercator Projection

map that has paralell lines of latitude and longitude

conic projection

map made by projecting points and lines from a globe onto a cone.

Gnomic Projection Map

most accurate at the center, useful for plotting courses and navigation

topographic map

a map that shows the surface features of Earth

contour line

A line on a topographic map that connects points of equal elevation

contour interval

the difference in elevation from one contour line to the next

geologic map

A map showing the distribution of rock units and structures across a region.

map legend

Explains the meaning of symbols used on a map.

map scale

The relationship between the size of an object on a map and the size of the actual feature on Earth's surface.

remote sensing

A method of collecting data or information through the use of instruments that are physically distant from the area or object of study.

Landsat satellite

Record reflected wavelengths of energy from earths surface

TOPEX/Poseidon satellite

uses radar to map features on the ocean floor

Sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging)

a system that uses reflected sound waves to detect and locate objects underwater

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A system that determines the precise position of something on Earth through a series of satellites, tracking stations, and receivers.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

Combines many types and styles of mapping