3 ms·
Except the shortest distance between two points on the surface of a sphere is a geodesic, not a rhumb line. So a straight line on a Mercator projection (rhumb l
by jcranmer 3y ago
Except the shortest distance between two points on the surface of a sphere is a geodesic, not a rhumb line. So a straight line on a Mercator projection (rhumb line) is not a "straight" line on the surface of the planet, and if I see a long straight line, I'm asking "why aren't they taking the shortest path?"
- kube-system 3y agoStraight lines on mercator are a constant bearing which is the most simple way to navigate.
- OscarCunningham 3y agoDo ships still use rhumb lines? I'd have thought that modern technology was good enough to guide them along geodesics.
- jofer 3y agoShips often follow shipping lanes. Many shipping lanes are deliberately rhumb lines rather than great circle paths.