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How do you calculate parallel radius on a sphere.
I have a wire frame sphere with a diameter of 96 units. I need a math pro to show and explain the formula to calculate the diameter of the circle created by a parallel at a certain degree of latitude. For your example please use 30 degrees. If you find a web page that has a calculator for this on it, that would be good enough also.
ASKER
That is using the correct formula I would assume (but it could be working with the fact the earth is not a sphere), but I need to input the diameter of my own sphere.
Assume perfect circle.
Formula: C = 2 pi r cos(x),
where pi = 3.14159..., r = the earth's equatorial radius = 6378 km, and x is the angle of latitude.
Formula: C = 2 pi r cos(x),
where pi = 3.14159..., r = the earth's equatorial radius = 6378 km, and x is the angle of latitude.
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The formula: C ("diameter of the circle created by a parallel") = 2 pi r cos(x).
2 pi r = 96 in your case.
You can use the formula for all "degree of latitude" and "spheres" of all sizes. :-)
2 pi r = 96 in your case.
You can use the formula for all "degree of latitude" and "spheres" of all sizes. :-)
C = Circumference = pi * Diameter
< http://www.easysurf.cc/circle.htm#cetol1 >