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Hammer retroazimuthal projection

Hammer retroazimuthal projection is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Hammer retroazimuthal projection rather than just read about it. In short: The Hammer retroazimuthal projection is a modified azimuthal proposed by Ernst Hermann Heinrich Hammer in 1910. As a retroazimuthal projection, azimuths (directions) are correct from any point to the designated center point.

Hammer retroazimuthal projection — main illustration
Hammer retroazimuthal projection — illustration

Key takeaways

  • Hammer retroazimuthal projection belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Hammer retroazimuthal projection to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Hammer retroazimuthal projection from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The Hammer retroazimuthal projection is a modified azimuthal proposed by Ernst Hermann Heinrich Hammer in 1910. As a retroazimuthal projection, azimuths (directions) are correct from any point to the designated center point. Additionally, all distances from the center of the map are proportional to what they are on the globe. In whole-world presentation, the back and front hemispheres overlap, making the projection a non-injective function. The back hemisphere can be rotated 180° to avoid overlap, but in this case, any azimuths measured from the back hemisphere must be corrected. Given a radius R for the projecting globe, the projection is defined as:

x = R K cos ⁡ φ 1 sin ⁡ ( λ − λ 0 ) y = − R K ( sin ⁡ φ 1 cos ⁡ φ − cos ⁡ φ 1 sin ⁡ φ cos ⁡ ( λ − λ 0 ) ) {\displaystyle {\begin{aligned}x&=RK\cos \varphi _{1}\sin(\lambda -\lambda _{0})\\y&=-RK{\big (}\sin \varphi _{1}\cos \varphi -\cos \varphi _{1}\sin \varphi \cos(\lambda -\lambda _{0}){\big )}\end{aligned}}}

where

K = z sin ⁡ z {\displaystyle K={\frac {z}{\sin z}}}

and

cos ⁡ z = sin ⁡ φ 1 sin ⁡ φ + cos ⁡ φ 1 cos ⁡ φ cos ⁡ ( λ − λ 0 ) {\displaystyle \cos z=\sin \varphi _{1}\sin \varphi +\cos \varphi _{1}\cos \varphi \cos(\lambda -\lambda _{0})}

The latitude and longitude of the point to be plotted are φ and λ respectively, and the center point to which all azimuths are to be correct is given as φ1 and λ0.

See also Craig retroazimuthal projection List of map projections

References

External links Description of Hammer Retroazimuthal front hemisphere. Description of Hammer Retroazimuthal back hemisphere.

Illustrations

Hammer retroazimuthal projection: The full Hammer retroazimuthal projection, 15° graticule, center point at 90°W, 45°N. Front hemisphere has been rotated 180° to avoid overlap.
The full Hammer retroazimuthal projection, 15° graticule, center point at 90°W, 45°N. Front hemisphere has been rotated 180° to avoid overlap.
Hammer retroazimuthal projection: The full Hammer retroazimuthal projection centered on Mecca, with Tissot's indicatrix of deformation. Back hemisphere has been rotated 180° to avoid overlap.
The full Hammer retroazimuthal projection centered on Mecca, with Tissot's indicatrix of deformation. Back hemisphere has been rotated 180° to avoid overlap.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Hammer retroazimuthal projection

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Hammer retroazimuthal projection claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Hammer retroazimuthal projection before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Hammer retroazimuthal projection ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Hammer retroazimuthal projection

In research
Hammer retroazimuthal projection appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Hammer retroazimuthal projection in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Hammer retroazimuthal projection is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Map projections, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Hammer retroazimuthal projection outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study Hammer retroazimuthal projection in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Hammer retroazimuthal projection means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Hammer retroazimuthal projection out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hammer retroazimuthal projection in simple terms?

The Hammer retroazimuthal projection is a modified azimuthal proposed by Ernst Hermann Heinrich Hammer in 1910. As a retroazimuthal projection, azimuths (directions) are correct from any point to the designated center point.

Why does Hammer retroazimuthal projection matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Hammer retroazimuthal projection?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Hammer retroazimuthal projection.

Tags

  • Map projections

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