Daft Lat/Long question

[dancrane]

I'm confident there's an embarrassingly obvious answer to this question.

I was looking on Google Earth, for the exact point where the 'Hayling Surf Cam' is situated. On the Surf Cam site, the spot is described as Lat: 50.7836 Lon: 0.9856

Trouble is, Google Earth appears to think in terms of degrees, minutes and seconds, which I can cope with; but I can't work out where the Surf Cam Lat and Long is, in minutes and seconds!

Is there a simple solution?

 

[Roberto]

I'm confident there's an embarrassingly obvious answer to this question.

I was looking on Google Earth, for the exact point where the 'Hayling Surf Cam' is situated. On the Surf Cam site, the spot is described as Lat: 50.7836 Lon: 0.9856

Trouble is, Google Earth appears to think in terms of degrees, minutes and seconds, which I can cope with; but I can't work out where the Surf Cam Lat and Long is, in minutes and seconds!

Is there a simple solution?

don't know if it's this you are looking for:

50.7836° is 50° + 0.7836°

0.7836° x 60 = 47.02 minutes

47.02= 47+.02

.02 * 60 = 1.2 seconds

50.7836° = 50° 47' 1.2"



though quite often coordinates are in degrees, minutes and fractions of minutes (not seconds), in which case it would be 50° 47.02'

is this what you were looking for ?

 

[johnalison]

Most of the experts are usually drunk by this time in the evening. As far as I can see, the Lat is 50 degrees and 60x0.7836 minutes, whatever that is, and the Long similarly.

 

[Miker]

Agreed. Beat me to it so I will be off to bed.

 

[dancrane]

Thank you gents. Looks like that was my obvious answer!

 

[pvb]

Is there a simple solution?

Yes. Just post the coordinates into the search box ("Fly To") as 50.7836, 0.9856, and click, and it'll take you right to the spot.

However, you'll find that the Hayling Surf Cam isn't too sure of its position, as those coordinates place it somewhere in the main shipping lanes!

 

[Lady Campanula]

However, you'll find that the Hayling Surf Cam isn't too sure of its position, as those coordinates place it somewhere in the main shipping lanes!

Could that be a classic 'mismatched datums' issue, or was one of the expert Web Cam sitiing experts drunk at that time of night....

 

[Reverend Ludd]

I'm confident there's an embarrassingly obvious answer to this question.

I was looking on Google Earth, for the exact point where the 'Hayling Surf Cam' is situated. On the Surf Cam site, the spot is described as Lat: 50.7836 Lon: 0.9856

Trouble is, Google Earth appears to think in terms of degrees, minutes and seconds, which I can cope with; but I can't work out where the Surf Cam Lat and Long is, in minutes and seconds!

Is there a simple solution?

There are lots of methods of writing lat & long.

Have a look in wiki & get your calculator out - wiki

 

[pvb]

Could that be a classic 'mismatched datums' issue, or was one of the expert Web Cam sitiing experts drunk at that time of night....

Nope, it was dancrane's misreading of the coordinates. The longitude is -0.9856, ie it's W not E. Putting the correct coordinates in to the Google Earth search box works fine.

 

[Alyssa]

Yes, go into Google Earth, click on Tools/Options. Half way down there is a section entitled "Show Lat/Long" where you will have the option of selecting 4 different Lat/Long formats.
Dave

 

[Reverend Ludd]

Yes, go into Google Earth, click on Tools/Options. Half way down there is a section entitled "Show Lat/Long" where you will have the option of selecting 4 different Lat/Long formats.
Dave

That's good

I have been using a scrap of paper and a calculator up to now.