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Updated:
20 April 2007
Geodetic Calculations - Vincenty's Formulae, Direct Method
Given the latitude and longitude of a point (1) and the forward geodetic azimuth (1-2) and ellipsoidal distance to a second point (2), calculate the latitude and longitude of the second point and the reverse azimuth (2-1).
- The calculations are performed using GRS80 ellipsoid values which is used for Australia's new coordinate system (The Geocentric Datum of Australia - GDA).
- These values are also compatible with the WGS84 system used by GPS. (a = 6,378,137.0 metres; 1/f = 298.25722210)
- Vincenty's formulae are used (T. Vincenty, Survey Review, 23, No 176, p 88-93,1975). They can be used to calculate lines ranging from a few cm up to half way around the earth (approximately 20,000km) with millimetre accuracy.
- Latitude must be between 0° and ± 90°. South Latitude is negative (eg -35° 55' 56.12"').
- Longitude must be between 0° and ± 180°. West Longitude is negative (eg -148° 56' 25.12"').
- NOTE: Given latitude and longitude of two points, to calculate the ellipsoidal distance, forward and reverse azimuths between the points use the inverse method.
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