Based on discussions in class, what kind of shape was the globe likely projected onto in this projection?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Restating the question and options to begin the analysis:
Question: Based on discussions in class, what kind of shape was the globe likely projected onto in this projection?
Options: Cone, Cylinder, Plane, Circle

Option 1 — Cone: A cone projection is a conic projection where the globe is projected onto a cone. It tends to preserve shapes along certain parallels and is commonly used for mid-latitude mappings. However, conic projections are typically chosen to minimize distortion over a specific range of latitudes, not for a global, all-around globe projection. In the context of a general classroom discussion about globe-to-map transformations, there’s no strong reason to infer a cone specifically from the given scenario, so this is unlikely.

Option 2 — Cylinder: A cylindrical projection wraps the globe around a cylinder (think Mercator or equirectangular). This is a very standard approach for world maps and is often introduced early in cartography. While plausible for many map types, the problem’s phrasing about a projection discussed in class does not point explicitly to a cylinder if the emphasis was on a different tangent plane or local projection.

Option 3 — Plane: A plane projection (azimuthal or gnomonic) maps the globe onto a flat plane. This is a common way to discuss projections that originate from looking at the globe from a single tangent point, leading to minimal distortion near the tangent point and increasing distortion away from it. The phrasing of the question suggests a simple, widely taught projection form, and plane (azimuthal) projections are a standard example used in class discussions.

Option 4 — Circle: A circle is not a standard geometric shape used for projecting a spherical surface in cartography. Projections aim to flatten a curved surface, and while you might sketch a circle in some representations, a circle would not constitute the projection surface itself. This option is the least technically accurate among the choices.

Putting the pieces together, the most consistent interpretation with a common classroom discussion about projecting a globe onto a flat surface is that the projection used a plane as the projection surface, i.e., a plane projection. This choice aligns with standard azimuthal/planar projection concepts and is less characteristic of the conic (cone) or cylindrical mappings that are more specialized or less universally implied by a generic classroom discussion. The circular option does not reflect a projection surface, and therefore it is not appropriate as a projection shape.

Based on discussions in class, what kind of shape was the globe likely projected onto in this projection?

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