Latitude And Longitude

[Chasingcars]

If writing latitude and longitude in the format of DMS, should the N/E/S/W go at the start or the end, or does it not matter?
I am having a bracelet engraved for a friend with a special location so want to make sure I am doing it correctly! Thank you.

[boxtops]

Like this, according to Google:

Latitude:N 38° 41' 7.8351"

Longitude:W 96° 30' 14.0625"

[Chasingcars]

Thanks boxtops, silly question but do you know where the degree symbol is on the keyboard?

[jomifl]

you could simply copy boxtops' co-ordinates and then substitute your own values.
eg.
Longitude:W 00 °00 '00 "

[Chasingcars]

Thanks, good idea, that worked fine! However, last problem which I didn't know before is I am restricted to 35 characters for engraving...do you know I can shorten the location below, meaning it is still the same location but would fit for purpose of my engraving?!

Lat N 50° 50' 21.243" Long W0° 47' 53.455"

For example, with a postcode you can take the last letter off it but still be in the same street, just not at an exact house.
Could I take the last 3 off the latitude and 5 off the longitude?

[stuey]

I'd suggest that you omit the "Lat" and "Long" as "N" and the "W" would suffice.

[sandyRoe]

alt and 248, on numerical keyboard, for degree symbol °

[sandyRoe]

http://www.alt-codes.net/

[boxtops]

You could surely take off the seconds after the decimal point - that's very precise as you are showing it!

[Chasingcars]

How much difference would taking off the seconds make boxtops? Would it be the difference in say a metre in the location or more/less?
I know its very precise but i could maybe less precise depending on the variation taken off the seconds gives!

[Hypognosis]

At the equator, 1 degree of longitude is 60 nautical miles (~69 miles) so the arcminutes are 1.15 miles, the seconds are 33.73 yards so the first decimal point is 3.3 yards.
If it were buried treasure, you'd need the second decimal point.

N50°50'30.123" is 14chrs
W03°30'30.123" is 14chrs
add the space characters where you'd like them.

[Hypognosis]

Regarding postcodes, the last character might specify a plot as small as hslf a dozen houses or as large as a whole street. Presumably removing it increases the ambiguity from 1 street to 26 streets. :-/

You used to be able to find a list of local postcodes in the phonebook but we don't need those any more, thanks to t'internet.

[EDDIE51]

Details of latitude / longitude to distance here
http://geography.about.com/library/faq/blqzdistancedegree.htm

[Chasingcars]

Thanks Hypognosis, thats really helpful.
So in my case, my latitude and longitude reference was related to a classroom where I met my friend at school...am I understanding you correctly if i take off the third character after the decimal place, that means my location would be less specific by about part of 3 yards?

[stuey]

You're complicating things. As I suggested, omit it "Lat" and the "Long" (they're superfluous here), and as Hypognosis suggested, enter the coordinates with no spaces.

[stuey]

I wonder how many people are using Google Earth to plot the intersection of those coordinates you gave, Chasingcars.

[Chasingcars]

Thank you Stuey, yes going to go with your suggestion, but just just curious now for my own interest!
Haha yes I did wonder the same about who may start googling,

[Hypognosis]

@Chasingcars

//Thanks Hypognosis, thats really helpful.
So in my case, my latitude and longitude reference was related to a classroom where I met my friend at school...am I understanding you correctly if i take off the third character after the decimal place, that means my location would be less specific by about part of 3 yards?//

3-yard accuracy should be good enough for a room.

I was saying that a single decimal place eg N50°50'21.2" would be accurate to 3 yards in the N-S axis and can add that it is better than 3 yards in the W-E axis, due to convergence of longitude lines, according to latitude.

[stuey]

I have to add, Chasingcars, that I think your idea for a gift like this to someone of importance to you is quite different and well thought of.