Seonglae ChoUTM Coordinate System
Universal Transverse Mercator Coordinate System
The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate system divides the Earth into vertical strips at 6° longitude intervals using a transverse Mercator projection. These strips are further divided into a grid of 60×20 sections at 8° latitude intervals, with each vertical zone having its own reference point for coordinate measurements.
Points on Earth are expressed using UTM grid zones and coordinates where:
- Northing (vertical coordinate): The projected distance from the equator
- Easting (horizontal coordinate): The projected distance from the central meridian of the zone
Both coordinates are measured in meters.
Historical Development and Technical Details
- Developed by the U.S. Army in 1947
- Currently uses the WGS84 ellipsoid as its reference system
- Models Earth's irregular curvature and relief using a reference ellipsoid
- Based on the Mercator projection developed by Belgian geographer and cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569, but oriented transversely