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A question of latitude

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hiflier | 22:18 Thu 12th Jan 2012 | Science
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I want to know the formula for calculating the small circle distance ie distance round the earth of a parallel of latitude, using the numerical degree of that latitude and the actual circumference of the earth at the equator.
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cos.latitude X equatorial diameter
eg lat. 45degrees =0.707
.707 X 25000miles(nominal equatorial diameter)
=17,677miles
You wanted a formula for the circumference at latitude L degrees. Here it is:
If C=circumfence at equator
c=circumference at latitude L degrees, then
Formula is
c=C x cos L
Here are stats for Equatorial circumference:

40,075.035535 kilometres (24,901.472609 mi) in IAU-1976 and IAU-2000

http://en.wikipedia.o...length_of_the_equator

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