EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -UTM System The UTM system is universal in the context that it can be applied to any location on the earth except for polar regions within 6o of the north and south poles. The UTM system is based on dividing the Earth’s surface into 60 zones that run from pole to pole.

Detailed explanation-2: -What are GPS (global positioning system) coordinates? GPS coordinates are a unique identifier of a precise geographic location on the earth, usually expressed in alphanumeric characters. Coordinates, in this context, are points of intersection in a grid system.

Detailed explanation-3: -Universal transverse Mercator (UTM) Universal transverse Mercator (UTM) is a geographic coordinate system and the most prevalent plane grid system used. UTM divides the earth into 84˚ north latitude to 80˚ south and is numbered into 60 vertical zones (each 6˚ latitude wide).

Detailed explanation-4: -Latitude and Longitude Use If the latitude and longitude coordinates of a location are known, it can be pinpointed on a map or globe.

Detailed explanation-5: -A geographic coordinate system (GCS) is used to define locations on a model of the surface of the earth. The GCS uses a network of imaginary lines (longitude and latitude) to define locations.