Comment on Denominator, go Mercator

• Mycatiskai@lemmy.ca ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago

  They want a 2d map of earth but with every continent to true size at scale, rather than Mercator projection where the northern hemisphere is expanded to increase their importance over the southern hemisphere.

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  • snapoff@sh.itjust.works ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago

    Mercator wasn’t created in order to increase importance of the northern hemisphere, but to allow for directional rhumb lines to be drawn for shipping. For its intended purpose of navigation, it does an excellent job.

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    • Mycatiskai@lemmy.ca ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago

      It may not be the intended purpose but I certainly does change how the world is seen by everyone using it to warp the mind’s eye to how the world actually physically is.

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      • SlurpingPus@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago

        Do you seriously think that the geometrical properties of the projection change below the equator? You need to learn this thing called geometry.

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      • tigeruppercut@lemmy.zip ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago

        It works for any shipping lines

        The Mercator projection was designed for use in marine navigation because of its unique property of representing any course of constant bearing as a straight segment. Such a course, known as a rhumb (alternately called a rhumb line or loxodrome) is preferred in marine navigation because ships can sail in a constant compass direction.

        en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercator_projection

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      • snapoff@sh.itjust.works ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago

        Perhaps if they are unaware that a 3D image of a geoid projected onto a 2D plane can cause issues, however every projection will have its own failings whether area, shape or directional (angular). Familiarity also comes into play, and i believe that is more at the root of the issue you bring up.

        As for your navigational questions, this Reddit thread may be helpful reddit.com/…/eli5_how_mercator_projections_are_be…

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  • scala@lemmy.ml ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago

    Exactl, this.

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  • Denixen@feddit.nu ⁨22⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

    Ah that makes a lot more sense! 😅

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