Pixel size and map projection
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Pixel size and map projection
The recent Craitman confidence vote has spread to the wiki which made me look up previous votes, and I was reminded of the 12-km pixel rule.
Which is fine, if we really are a disc on a giant turtle. But we're assuming our planet truly is a globe, so I'd like our 12-km pixel rule to be defined to be true only for the 0 degree latitude and the 0 degree longitude. Otherwise, we're one big rectangular flat earth.
Similarly, I'd like us to adopt an official projection. Based on the gridlines on the claimsmap, it appears the equirectangular projection is assumed.
As such, this is my proposal for discussion. I hope we can have a discussion on this – and any other points related to it that the discussion brings up. I am no map wizard, so I'm hoping we can get our collective brains up to speed and figure this out, because the 12-km pixel rule has annoyed me to bits when looking at Leng (but I went away and made a distorted/more-real map of it anyway...)
Which is fine, if we really are a disc on a giant turtle. But we're assuming our planet truly is a globe, so I'd like our 12-km pixel rule to be defined to be true only for the 0 degree latitude and the 0 degree longitude. Otherwise, we're one big rectangular flat earth.
Similarly, I'd like us to adopt an official projection. Based on the gridlines on the claimsmap, it appears the equirectangular projection is assumed.
As such, this is my proposal for discussion. I hope we can have a discussion on this – and any other points related to it that the discussion brings up. I am no map wizard, so I'm hoping we can get our collective brains up to speed and figure this out, because the 12-km pixel rule has annoyed me to bits when looking at Leng (but I went away and made a distorted/more-real map of it anyway...)
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Re: Pixel size and map projection
I'd definitely be very interested in making Micras' distortion an official aspect of the maps, and establishing what the claimsmap's actual projection is.
I'm not the most learnèd, cartographically, so if there's a way to figure-out how much distortion occurs at certain points (perhaps some kind of clickable map that can calculate it based on one's selection?), that would be fantastically helpful!
I'm not the most learnèd, cartographically, so if there's a way to figure-out how much distortion occurs at certain points (perhaps some kind of clickable map that can calculate it based on one's selection?), that would be fantastically helpful!
Re: Pixel size and map projection
Unless someone comes up with a simple formula which enables us to tell what surface area a certain pixel has, I don't think this idea is workable.
Re: Pixel size and map projection
This will be hard since no one took it into account when making the map. All projections distort, only question is where and how much. I've put the map into a GIS program and referenced it into the same coordinate system used by Google Earth for example. The map looks the same but you notice the distortion when measuring. Unfortunately we run up against a different quirk of the map then, the fact that it isn't the exact same size as Earth. We would therefor need to make our own geoid and spheroid, calculate a projection etc. Doing this is unrealistic.
As for the pixel size, I'm just assuming that if the map has a projection it's transverse Mercator, so the size would actually only be valid at the equator. I would say it's impossible to fix this in a practical way.
Let's define the 12x12 as valid at the equator and then leave it to each if they want to account for distortion or not. I think it would actually be more relevant to try to fix the nonsensical geology.
As for the pixel size, I'm just assuming that if the map has a projection it's transverse Mercator, so the size would actually only be valid at the equator. I would say it's impossible to fix this in a practical way.
Let's define the 12x12 as valid at the equator and then leave it to each if they want to account for distortion or not. I think it would actually be more relevant to try to fix the nonsensical geology.
Re: Pixel size and map projection
I would love to be able to switch the official maps to one of Robinson, WInkel Tripel, or Kavrayskiy VII, but am aware that it would be a colossal undertaking. :/
Heretofore I've assumed that the official maps are equirectangular.
Heretofore I've assumed that the official maps are equirectangular.
Hâlian, Magic: The Gathering player/baseball and gridiron fan/computer guy/conlinguist and worldbuilder/tabletop and video game fan too
Re: Pixel size and map projection
And by transverse Mercator I mean Mercator.
Re: Pixel size and map projection
Well if it is that distorts too, in a way that makes it less useful for navigation or cadastral mapping since it's neither equal area or conformal.