History of longitude

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/history-of-longitude

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the impact on society?Accurate longitude determination revolutionized maritime trade, exploration, cartography, and global connectivity
2. What is the modern precision?Today's satellite navigation systems provide longitude accuracy down to the centimeter level
3. What is longitude and why is it hard to find?Longitude is the east‑west position on Earth. It’s hard to find because you need a very accurate time to tell how far east or west you are.
4. How did John Harrison help sailors find their way?John Harrison built a special clock that stayed accurate even on a rocking ship. With this clock, sailors could compare the ship’s time to a known time and know their east‑west position.

Longitude: Angular distance measured east or west from the Prime Meridian, crucial for east-west positioning on Earth.
Latitude: Angular distance measured north or south from the Equator, essential for north-south positioning.
Chronometer: A highly accurate portable timepiece, specifically designed to maintain precision under the challenging conditions of maritime travel.
Prime Meridian: The reference line of zero degrees longitude, conventionally passing through Greenwich, London, England.