Loxodromic navigation
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Loxodrome.png/300px-Loxodrome.png)
Rhumb line navigation path: β = constant
Loxodromic navigation (from Greek λοξóς, oblique, and δρóμος, path) is a method of navigation by following a rhumb line, a curve on the surface of the Earth that follows the same angle at the intersection with each meridian. This serves to maintain a steady course in sailing.[1]
Navigating on a spherical surface with a fixed course ( in the figure) results in a spiral path that approaches the North Pole for courses ranging from 270º to 090º and the South Pole for courses from 090º to 270º. On a nautical chart plotted according to the Mercator projection, a loxodromic course appears as a straight line.
Comparison Chart[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Orthodromic_vs_loxodromic.png/400px-Orthodromic_vs_loxodromic.png)
Comparison of orthodromic course (white) compared with a loxodromic course (red) in a map using Mercator projection.
See also[]
- Great circle navigation.
- Windrose network.
- Map
- Portolan map
- Marine sandglass
- Compass rose
- Isoazimuthal
References[]
- ^ Adam Weintrit; Tomasz Neumann (7 June 2011). Methods and Algorithms in Navigation: Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation. CRC Press. pp. 139–. ISBN 978-0-415-69114-7.
External links[]
Categories:
- Navigation
- Spherical curves