Scientists create the most reliable flat map of the Earth

We all learned in school about Global Earth Map Forecast. But did you know that? There is no “perfect” representation of our planet? This is because it is difficult to convert a 3D surface into a 2D plane (two dimensions such as Cartesian coordinates All maps have some kind of distortion (Stretches and/or contractions).

For this representation we use Cartographic forecastsThe basis for building maps. These are the mathematical techniques that are used to Represents the Earth's curved surface as accurately as possible On a flat map.

Cartographic projection is defined as a type of systematic drawing of lines on a flat surface intended to represent the parallels and longitudes of the Earth.

There are different types of cartographic projections, each prioritizing a particular aspect of representation (size, shape, etc.), and their choice depends on the purpose of the map. However, researchers from Princeton University In New Jersey (USA) They have created the most accurate flat map ever.

Best known maps

Mercator projection

he The most famous map Depends on Mercator projectionIt is mainly used for marine navigation. This projection, developed by cartographer Gerhard Mercator in 1569which is the type Cylindrical conformalIt is characterized by preserving the shapes of the regions and distorting their sizes, making the regions near the poles larger than they actually are.

On this map, Meridians They are represented by vertical parallel straight lines equidistant from each other horizontally, while… Parallels They are represented by straight horizontal lines, and the vertical distance between the two parallel lines decreases towards the equator. This engineering makes The Earth's surface deforms in the direction from north to southThe greater the distortion, the greater the latitude.

Example: In this projection, Greenland appears to be about the same size as South America, although it is actually eight times smaller.

Drop Robinson

The other A very famous map used in educational teaching It is he who depends on Drop RobinsonIt seeks to balance distortions of size and shape, but is not completely devoid of them either, especially in regions far from the equator.

It is an anaphylactic projection ( Not identical, equivalent, or equal) and Pseudocylindrical (It has no projection surface, but has properties similar to those of a cylindrical projection.) He was It was developed by Arthur H. Robinson in 1963. This map shows the entire world at once, and was created in an attempt to find a good representation of the entire world in one flat image.

The most reliable flat map of the Earth

Now, researchers have reread many of the maps, scored existing ones by measuring distortions, and made new calculations They have found the most accurate and reliable flat map ever created.

Drop the Winkle Triple It was the best result of all known predictions. It was created in 1921 By a German cartographer Oswald Winkle And improve it Heinrich Triebel in 1929. It is a technique that seeks to obtain a good approximation of the real areas of different parts of the globe, and attempts Reduce area distortion, providing a fairer representation.

the National Geographic Society (GSThe Robinson projection has been used for general-purpose world maps since 1988, but in 1998 he abandoned this projection and began to adopt the Winkle-Triple projection, as the last It reduces the deflection of Earth's masses towards the poles.

Then build on that expectation Astrophysicists created their own map, minimizing all kinds of distortions and using an equidistant azimuthal projection. Antarctica and Australia are more accurately represented than most other maps, and distances across oceans or poles are accurate and easy to measure, unlike flat, one-sided maps..

“The Winkel Tripel recorded the best known predictions. We have introduced a new class of flat maps that has an advantage Correct topology and improved error scores. We believe it is the most accurate flat map of the Earth to date (…),” the researchers said.

he ” The most reliable map of all ” It was called I got dropped You can refer to it in A Interactive version by clicking here.

News reference:

Gott III, Jr. Goldberg, DM; Vanderby, R.J. Flat maps are improved on Winkel Tripel. arXiv2021.