POLYHEDRAL APPROXIMATION OF A SPHERICAL BODY AND TWO-DIMENSIONAL PROJECTIONS THEREFROM

摘要

A polyhedral approximation of an Earth globe or other non-planar surface and a projection of such non-planar surface to a two-dimensional form with a practical minimum of distortion of principal and secondary features is disclosed. Vertices are selected on the non-planar surface to be mapped so as to define identifiable panels which are suitable for individual study because of their incorporation of at least one of the principal features wholly within one of the panels. Vertices are selected so that the panels are individually shaped and sized to accommodate at least a majority of at least one of the principal features.