Plotting the globe : stories of meridians, parallels, and the international date line
A collection of stories and myths about geography, navigation, and geodesy - the science that deals with the Earth's figure and the interrelationship of selected points on its surface - that reaches far beyond dry scientific texts to concentrate on the people behind the discoveries.
xii, 235 pages : illustrations.
9780275988951, 0275988953
1014084190
Acknowledgements Introduction The Meridians The Lemon or Orange Debate Measuring a Meridian Mark I: What is the Shape of the Earth? Measuring a Meridian Mark II: How Long is One Meter? The Prime Meridian From Hipparchus to Pulkovo Greenwich - The Ultimate Prime Meridian Greenwich Goes International 1984 Beats 1884 - The GPS Time and Tide Wait for No Man, Especially at Greenwich The International Date Line The Paradox: Lost by Magellan, Found by Fogg The International Date Line: Truth or Myth? The International Date Line and the Millennium The Equator Crossing the Line Who Did it First? End of Story References Internet Sites Credits and Illustrations Index