The equator was put in place a long time ago and probably with modern more accurate measuring equipment its position could be accurately determined. Obviously if the equator is out of place all the parallels of latitude are wrong too.
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The equator that is shown on maps, and all the parallels of latitude, were fixed in place to a high accuracy over a hundred years ago. It doesn't move; it is the reference that we measure things from. Even back in 1902, they could measure its location to within a few meters. The "legal" equator is the average physical equator of 1900-1905. The physical equator moves, the legal equator doesn't.
By the 1930's, accuracy was improved to 0.3 meters. Today we could pin it down to a few millimeters, for places not too far (30 km) from a measuring station. There are 3210 high-precision stations around the world for measuring latitude. They are also used to measure plate tectonics, rotation of the Earth, and the physical pole location.
By the 1930's, accuracy was improved to 0.3 meters. Today we could pin it down to a few millimeters, for places not too far (30 km) from a measuring station. There are 3210 high-precision stations around the world for measuring latitude. They are also used to measure plate tectonics, rotation of the Earth, and the physical pole location.
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Yes.
The Earth rotates on it's Axis. The Axis is a line running from the North Pole to the South Pole through the Center of the Earth. The Equator is HALF WAY between the Poles.
The Geographic Poles DO NOT CHANGE.
The Earth rotates on it's Axis. The Axis is a line running from the North Pole to the South Pole through the Center of the Earth. The Equator is HALF WAY between the Poles.
The Geographic Poles DO NOT CHANGE.
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http://www.photo-fix.com/facepalm
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Does it matter?