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Alaska Grid

Release 9.2
Last modified August 3, 2007
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Description

This projection was developed to provide a conformal map of Alaska with less scale distortion than other conformal projections. A set of mathematical formulas defines a conformal transformation between two surfaces (Snyder, 1993).

Illustration of Alaska Grid projection


Projection method

Modified planar. This is a sixth-order equation modification of an oblique Stereographic conformal projection on the Clarke 1866 spheroid. The origin is at 64° N, 152° W.


Point of tangency

Conceptual point of tangency at 64° N, 152° W.


Linear graticules

None


Properties


Shape



Perfectly conformal.

Area



Varies approximately 1.2 percent over Alaska.

Direction



Local angles are correct everywhere.

Distance



The minimum scale factor is 0.997 at approximately 62°30' N, 156° W. Scale increases outward from this point. Most of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, excluding the panhandle, are bounded by a line of true scale. The scale factor ranges from 0.997 to 1.003 for Alaska, which is one-fourth the range for a corresponding conic projection (Snyder, 1987).


Limitations

Distortion becomes severe away from Alaska.


Uses and applications

Conformal mapping of Alaska as a complete state on the Clarke 1866 spheroid or NAD27. This projection is not optimized for use with other datums and spheroids.


Parameters

Projection-specific parameters are set by the software.

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