A Square Equal-area Map Projection with Low Angular Distortion, Minimal Cusps, and Closed-form Solutions

• Main Author: Petroff, Matthew A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: arXiv 2020
• Subjects: Graphics cs.GR; Geophysics physics.geo-ph; FOS Computer and information sciences; FOS Physical sciences; North Pole; South Pole; South pole
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2008.13670; https://arxiv.org/abs/2008.13670

A novel square equal-area map projection is proposed. The projection combines closed-form forward and inverse solutions with relatively low angular distortion and minimal cusps, a combination of properties not manifested by any previously published square equal-area projection. Thus, the new projection has lower angular distortion than any previously published square equal-area projection with a closed-form solution. Utilizing a quincuncial arrangement, the new projection places the north pole at the center of the square and divides the south pole between its four corners; the projection can be seamlessly tiled. The existence of closed-form solutions makes the projection suitable for real-time visualization applications, both in cartography and in other areas, such as for the display of panoramic images. : 17 pages, 6 figures, 1 table