ERIC Number: EJ904762
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Nov
Pages: 4
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0887-2376
EISSN: N/A
Seafarers, Great Circles, and a Tad of Rhumb: Understanding the Mercator Misconception
DiSpezio, Michael A.
Science Scope, v34 n3 p14-17 Nov 2010
Being flat, Mercator maps inherently misrepresent some aspects of Earth's geography. That's because there is absolutely no way to simultaneously conserve all of the elements of three-dimensional space in a two-dimensional model. To dispel misconceptions, check out the Activity Worksheet and the website resources included in this article. Along with your own arsenal of mapping experiences, these suggested resources offer a rich and varied landscape on which to tackle the Mercator misconception and associated misunderstandings in map projections. (Contains 5 online resources and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Maps, Misconceptions, Map Skills, Influence of Technology, Models, Navigation, Scientific Concepts
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A