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Mercator Mystery Cache

Hidden : 2/5/2012
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:




Mercator Projection


The coordinates above are not those of the cache. The cache is at the following location:


N 44 53.OEE

W 065 08.CTR


Welcome to my Map Projections Series!

We all are familiar with coordinates as we all play this great game of geocaching, but how well do you know your map projections? Once you get the hang of solving these, you’ll be through them in a snap! This is my first attempt at a puzzle series – and I hope I’ve kept it pretty straightforward. Everything you need to solve is on this page. What’s in a name, anyway? Why, the names of some different projections of course!

In all cases 0 = 0

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Ever heard of the book “How to Lie with Maps”? Well, these are just seven more common map projections of hundreds throughout the world. Each projection can be used to emphasize a different area, useage or focus. They portray all or part of the round Earth on a flat surface, which cannot be done with out some distortion. Every projection has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. There is no "best" projection. The key lies in mapmaker selecting the one best suited to the task at hand, reducing distortion of the most important features.

Mapmakers and mathematicians have devised almost limitless ways to project the image of the globe onto paper.

Mercator

The Mercator projection is a cylindrical map projection presented by the Flemish geographer and cartographer Gerardus Mercator, in 1569. It became the standard map projection for nautical purposes because of its ability to represent lines of constant course, known as rhumb lines or loxodromes, as straight segments. While the linear scale is equal in all directions around any point, thus preserving the angles and the shapes of small objects (which makes the projection conformal), the Mercator projection distorts the size and shape of large objects, as the scale increases from the Equator to the poles, where it becomes infinite.
Distances are true only along Equator, but are reasonably correct within 15° of Equator; special scales can be used to measure distances along other parallels. Two particular parallels can be made correct in scale instead of the Equator.

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All these placements were Winter Friendly when hiddden but one or two may not be if we get more than a foot of snow - for those caches, check the attributes; they won't be listed as winter friendly. Also, come spring some may require a little more bush stomping and might be in slightly wet areas - I'll update the attributes/comments when the snow melts and I can see the conditions.

The parking coordinates provide a good starting point to walk the entire series.


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Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Pnpur: unatvat pyhzc

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)