Space oblique Mercator
Description
This projection is nearly conformal and has little scale distortion within the sensing range of an orbiting mapping satellite, such as Landsat. This is the first projection to incorporate the earth's rotation with respect to the orbiting satellite. For Landsat 1, 2, and 3, the path range is from 1 to 251. For Landsat 4 and 5, the path range is from 1 to 233.
Projection method
Modified cylindrical, for which the central line is curved and defined by the ground track of the orbit of the satellite
Line of tangency
Conceptual
Linear graticules
None
Properties
Shape
Shape is correct within a few parts per million for the sensing range of the satellite.
Area
Varies by less than 0.02 percent for the sensing range of the satellite
Direction
Minimal distortion within the sensing range
Distance
Scale is true along the ground track and varies approximately 0.01 percent within the sensing range.
Limitations
Plots for adjacent paths do not match without transformation.
Uses and applications
- Specifically designed to minimize distortion within the sensing range of a mapping satellite as it orbits the rotating earth
- Used to tie satellite imagery to a ground-based planar coordinate system and for continuous mapping of satellite imagery
- Standard format used for data from Landsat 4 and 5
Parameters
Supported in ArcInfo Workstation only
Workstation
- Landsat vehicle ID (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
- Orbital path number (1–233)